Bipolar Disorder Treatment

People with bipolar disorder are less likely to suffer a relapse if they are taking both lithium and sodium valproate rather than the drug valproate alone, a new study has ... Read the full story

Thanks to a supporter's recommendation, IBF is looking into offering a support group for children who have bipolar disorder.

If you and your child are interested, please contact Care & Support Committee Chair ,Lisa Weinreb, at lisaweinreb@gmail.com and tell her your child's name, age and gender.

Thank you,
Muffy Walker, President
International Bipolar Foundation

We recently included in My Support an article about a young lady in Canada who uses a "therapy dog" to help her with her anxiety & other symptoms related to her bipolar disorder. (read the article here)

I then met with Southern California's Tender Loving Canines. They are an organization who trains and places canine companions. Unfortunately they do not have as many trainers as they'd like and therefore have a limited number of dogs to place.

A new Caregiver Support Group will start in February in Rancho Santa Fe. Join Wendy W. the 2nd Monday of the month from 10:00 - 12:00. The first group will be Tuesday, February 8th.
As always, please RSVP to Tom Kelly (tkelly@internationalbipolarfoundation.org) and he will send you the address and directions.

Currently, a debate rages among doctors and academics about whether the symptoms of bipolar disorder can even emerge when a child is under 10. In fact, the current Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (and bible to all psychiatrists, doctors and other healthcare providers), doesn’t recognize pediatric bipolar disorder. In other words, looking under “p” for Pediatric Bipolar Disorder in the Manual (also known as DSM IV) won’t get you anywhere.