International Society For Bipolar Disorders Inc

Conferences: isbd holds an annual conference, which serves as the main education event of the society and provides a multitude of opportunities to learn and engage with the organization. The conference features keynote presentations from recognized and respected leaders in the field, while submitted parallel symposia open the program up to contributions from young researchers with new data. The program also features rapid communications sessions, where cutting-edge and newly-emerging research is delivered in short-form presentations. In addition to these features, the conference hosts workshops that provide a hands-on approach to learning utilizing case studies and other group learning exercises. The program is mainly geared towards clinicians and researchers. The meeting typically covers topics including bipolar disorders in special populations, brain structure and brain function, comorbidity between bipolar disorders and medical disorders, reviews of diagnostic and treatment guidelines, neuroimaging studies, biomarkers, genetics research, and psychotherapies among many other topics. The meeting also serves as a place for isbd task forces, committees and chapter leaders to assemble and discuss challenges and further the mission of the organization.

Awards:the samuel gershon awards for junior investigators, named in honor of dr. Samuel gerson, past isbd president and pioneer of early lithium research, offer 4 awards for original research submissions. Awards are based on the originality of the content, as well as the significance of the findings reported, and are evaluated by an international scientific panel under the auspices of the isbd. These awards are open to psychiatric trainees, postgraduate students and junior faculty up to the assistant professor rank from around the world. The awards are presented in conjunction with the society's biennial meeting, where the winners present their research in a special session showcasing the work of junior people in the field.

Website: the website serves as the hub of activity for the organization, allowing members to update their addresses, renew membership in the society, and access the bipolar disorders journal, our webinars and membership directory via the members zone. The site also serves to inform members about application for the society's awards, chapter activities, and as a platform for promoting our world bipolar day campaign.

World bipolar day & advocacy: world bipolar day (wbd) is an initiative of the society and a joint collaboration between isbd and other advocacy organizations to promote awareness about the illness through encouraging other organizations and individuals to hold events designed to reduce the stigma associated with bipoar disorder. The inaugural wbd was held on march 30th, 2014, commemorating the birthday of the famous dutch painter vincent van gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as having had bipolar disorder. Isbd has contributed to development of concept and logo and maintains the campaign's presence on social media platforms.

Task forces: isbd task forces consist of isbd members and other global experts who come together to address important unanswered questions in various subspecialties in research and clinical practice. The task force deliverables include peer-reviewed manuscripts, webinars, conference presentations, and patient directed pamphlets and resources, much of which is available to our members through our website. As such, the task forces are a major staple and engine of the isbd research output and represent an area of significant international collaboration. The goal of task forces is to provide direction and answer unmet needs, and consequently, they are meant to have impact on the future of research and clinical practice in bipolar disorders.