Greetings!  

As we near the end of another year, all of us at IBPF want to remind those in our community around the world how much we appreciate you. We are so grateful that you support our efforts to help others live healthier lives with bipolar disorder. From the dad who reached out on behalf of his daughter, to the social worker wanting help for a client, to the individual who reached out for information and a kind word and even the well-known including celebrities, sports figures and political leaders - it has been a time of great strides for many.
 
The holidays are a time to continue that caring. With another wave of them occurring soon, there are many ways to get involved. First, if you or someone you know needs help -- please reach out. Our website, staff and volunteers are here to help during this busy time. Also, see our website to learn how you can support IBPF by shopping and other year-end giving opportunities. You can also check if your company has a donation matching program by checking here
 
Let's look forward to a New Year of continuing to envision wellness, dignity and respect for all people living with bipolar disorder. 

To your health,

Lori J. Butler, CFRE
Executive Director
A Big Thank You To Las Patronas!

We were recently chosen for a $6,000 grant from Las Patronas, an organization in San Diego that awards grants to nonprofits for capital items. The grant will be used for new computers and a projector. 

Thank you!

Sign Up For Our Next Webinar

With Dr. Paul Weigle

Wednesday, December 9 at 11:30am Pacific Time
Sign up here (link includes time zone converter)

A behavioral addiction to video games, also called Internet Gaming Disorder, is common and associated with significant distress and impairment, but typically under-recognized in medical and mental health treatment settings. Research and clinical experience reveals ways parents can protect youth health risks associated with video games habits, as well as potential treatments for pathological use. Read more  here.

The webinar will be recorded and posted here the following week.

See the rest of our upcoming webinars here
Watch Our Latest Recorded Webinar

Bipolar 101: How to Manage Bipolar Disorder Day to Day
Bipolar 101: How to Manage Bipolar Disorder Day to Day
Bipolar 101: How to Manage Bipolar Disorder Day to Day
with Gabe Howard

Gabe Howard discusses ways to manage bipolar disorder day to day, and shares tips from his own experiences. He provides practical, hopeful, and honest advice to help people understand and manage bipolar disorder, but more importantly, to help people live well in spite of bipolar. 


Watch all of our recorded webinars here.

Featured Blogs




Read the rest of our blogs 
here.

Watch Our Latest YouTube Video

Part 1 on Tardive Dyskinesia
Part 1 on Tardive Dyskinesia


Allison explains the basics of Tardive Dyskinesia, a movement disorder that some people with bipolar disorder develop. She shares her experience living with the condition and how she found treatment.

Watch all of our YouTube videos here.
Research Updates



See more articles about new research updates here.
Featured Book


Not Just Up and Down challenges the simplistic notion that bipolar disorder is an episodic illness characterized by extreme shifts in mood from depression to mania. Instead, John McManamy presents a more coherent picture of bipolar as a cycling illness with the brain in perpetual motion, extremely sensitive to nature's slightest whims. Read More

For more books about bipolar disorder and mental health, visit our website here. 
Upcoming Events

Featured Event: 
Carlsbad Marathon on January 17

We are excited to have Suzy Favor Hamilton as a guest on our Stigma Buster's running team for the Carlsbad Marathon this year in San Diego.

Suzy is an Olympic Athlete and author of the bestselling book Fast Girl, which tells her story of living with bipolar disorder. 

You can participate by running, donating, or volunteering, more information here

See the rest of our events here.
2015 Outstanding Achievement Prize Winners

Congratulations to Dr. Michael Berk (Deakin University, Australia) and Dr. L. Trevor Young (University of Toronto) who were recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Mood Disorders Research by the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.

Both Dr. Berk and Dr. Young are on our Scientific Advisory Board

Read more about the award here

Family Preferences Regarding Treatment Options 
Survey Results

Last month we sent out a survey on Family Preferences Regarding Treatment Options. The questions were written by David Miklowitz, a member of our Scientific Advisory Board and a researcher with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The results will be used for his research with PCORI. 

Thank you to everyone who participated! Here are the results of the survey from Dr. Miklowitz:

"Our recent survey of 599 patients and caregivers enrolled in the IBPF found that 69% (n=415) responded "true" to "If my son/daughter were being treated for bipolar depression, I would rather s/he received a new psychotherapy than a new medication." When asked to choose between different forms of psychosocial treatment hypothetically available at their local mental health center, 70% (n=421) indicated that they preferred an individualized family format and 29% (n = 177) preferred a multifamily group format."

Support IBPF While You Shop


When you do your holiday shopping this year, use Living Zoe or AmazonSmile and a portion of your purchase will be donated to IBPF.

Click a store and do your usual shopping. Retailers donate a percentage to us. Same Products, Same Prices. No Cost. No Sign-up. Learn more here.


The same Amazon and a percentage of your purchase is donated to IBPF.
Bookmark this link to make it easy to remember. 
About International Bipolar Foundation

International Bipolar Foundation is a not for profit organization based in San Diego whose mission is to improve understanding and treatment of bipolar disorder through research; to promote care and support resources for individuals and caregivers; and to erase stigma through education. 

International Bipolar Foundation is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or received from the International Bipolar Foundation.

Visit us online for more information: www.ibpf.org



See if your employer will match your donation by checking here 
STAY CONNECTED: