I've never had Depakote since it's not available in Sweden. Usually people get either Lithium or Lamotrigine to stablilize mood swings. You get either based on wether you have Bipolar I or II.
One that worked very good on me was Fluanxol (also known as Depixol)I became markedly better from using it and has been feeling much better ever since I started to take it. (The effect came on after about a months use)

Hope I could help!

readandfindout.com is also a very good medicine which I recommend.