When I said pdocs use things off-label, I meant they routinely use Depakote and other meds for both depression and hypo/mania even if they are not FDA approved specifically for one or the other. But it is common practice, and has been done for a long time among the profession. It’s not a new or unsafe practice. They do it all the time. Half of my meds are prescribed off-label.

You do not have to be in a manic episode to take Depakote, but I know you have been having other issues since you started taking it tho. You should talk to your pdoc about those things