On November 24th, those of us in the USA will celebrate our traditional Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving is a special day when we give thanks for the abundance of gratitudes that we receive.
 
I am always mindful of the "big" things of which I am grateful, like food on the table and a roof over my head, but it is also the less obvious blessings that contribute to the wellbeing of my family and me.
 
Daily habits of gratitude and appreciation can bring happiness. Your focus on what you do have, versus that which you don't, adds to your feeling of contentment and serenity.
 
Here are some helpful tips on how to make giving thanks part of your daily routine.
  • Each day, write a list of all you are thankful for. It's OK to repeat items day after day.
  • Be thankful for the gifts we often take for granted; a roof over your head, clean water to drink, food in the pantry.
  • Make a conscious effort to thank people for even the smallest deeds; holding the door, giving up their seat on the train, or letting you merge in from another lane.
  • Take a few extra minutes to write thank you notes, send a gift of appreciation or call to thank someone.
  • Be mindful of what surrounds you; the sunshine, falling autumn leaves, a child's smile.
  • Minimize hardships by focusing on that which brings you joy.

 
Pay attention to how you feel when you are giving thanks. Your joy will attract more joy.
 
At International Bipolar Foundation, we are grateful for you, our supporters. We are here for you and welcome your suggestions and feedback.
 
Warm wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Muffy Walker
 
"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." 
- William Arthur Ward
Sign Up to Watch our Upcoming Live Webinar
With Kevin A. Hall

Wednesday, November 9 at 9am Pacific Time
Register here  (time zone converter at link)

Kevin A. Hall is author of the book, Black Sails White Rabbits: Cancer Was the Easy Part

Within the space of a year, Kevin was diagnosed with both testicular cancer and bipolar disorder, putting his family and Olympic dreams on hold. He says that surviving cancer was the easy part.

In this webinar Kevin will compare his experiences with cancer and bipolar disorder. Register here

This webinar will be recorded and posted here the following week. 
See the rest of our upcoming webinars here
Watch Our Latest Recorded Webinar

In this webinar, Andrew Penn, RN, MS, NP, APRN-BC, explores the controversy of using cannabis therapeutically for mood stabilization, anxiety reduction, and the promotion of sleep. He explains how cannabis works in the brain, what we know about the risks of exacerbating mental illness, how to reduce these risks, and what we still need to learn before we know if cannabis can be therapeutic for bipolar patients. 

Tell us what you think! After you've watched the webinar, please take our  follow-up survey.

The information contained in or made available through this webinar cannot replace or substitute for the services of trained professionals in the medical field. We do not recommend any specific treatment, drug, food or supplement. International Bipolar Foundation is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or received from International Bipolar Foundation.
 
See the rest of our recorded webinars here.
Featured Blogs
Mental Health Books

by Kevin A. Hall 

The Book of Whispers: A Father and Son's Battle with Bipolar Disorder  The story of Mickey and Jake McClain Driver, as told to Beverly Freeman

Splinters of Glass: Poetry of a Life  b y Arleen Watson 

Find more mental health books here.
 
What is Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy?

Each month, a different expert from our Scientific Advisory Board will answer your questions about bipolar disorder research and treatment. 

This month's expert:  Holly A. Swartz, M.D.

Question: What is Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) and how does it differ from other psychotherapies for bipolar disorder?

Answer:  Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy or "IPSRT" is a psychotherapy for bipolar disorder that helps people regulate their moods by keeping more regular social rhythms (routines) and doing better jobs of managing their relationships with others. 
It is based on a scientific understanding of the link between worsening mood symptoms (such as sadness, sleep disturbances, low energy, and concentration problems) and changes or disturbances in regular schedules as well as an understanding of the impact of life events on mood. 
IPSRT has been shown to be effective in preventing relapse of mania and depression in bipolar disorder and in treating acute episodes of bipolar depression.  Although there is a lot of overlap among the psychotherapies for bipolar disorder, IPSRT is unique in its focus on the interrelationship among routines, rhythms, mood, and relationships.

About Dr. Swartz: 
Dr. Holly A. Swartz is professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She is currently the President of the International Society for Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IsIPT).
Dr. Swartz's research focuses on understanding and optimizing psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions for mood disorders. She is well known for her work in evaluating Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) as treatments for depression and bipolar disorder.  Read her full biography here

For more answers from our experts, visit our Sharecare page.
Research Updates
(United States) Read Summary 


Learn more about the latest studies in bipolar research here.
Research Grant Recipients

Rupali Srivastava, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University has been awarded 
o ur Young Investigator Grant as part of Brain & Behavior Research Foundation's Research Partner's Program. Dr. Srivastava is studying how defects related to calcium signaling in the brain could contribute to bipolar disorder. 


Judah Weathers, MD, DPhil, of Yale University has been selected for our Rising Star in Child and Adolescent Research Award. Dr. Weathers uses brain imaging research to study developmental differences in the white matter connections within emotional brain circuitry in adolescents with pediatric bipolar disorder and to identify differences in youth at risk for the disorder. 
 
San Diego Lecture
With Colin A. Depp, Ph.D
Wednesday, November 9 at 6pm

This presentation will cover some of the latest developments in technology to assist in managing mood disorders, such as telemedicine, mobile apps, and more. Dr. Depp will discuss the potential benefits and concerns that consumers should consider in using technology to manage mood disorders. More details here. 


PayPal Giving Fund

When you use  PayPal Giving Fund to make a donation, there are no fees and we receive 100% of the  donation. Learn more here

eBay sellers can also donate a percentage of their sales to IBPF through eBay for Charity, more details here

AmazonSmile

If you shop on Amazon, use AmazonSmile to have a percentage of your purchases donated to IBPF. 
Get started  here

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 International Bipolar Foundation.

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

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