ISBD Korea is the Korean branch of the International Society of Bipolar Disorder, and it is also an active Research Association in Korea. On June 14, 2010, ISBD Korea agreed to form a Korean branch of ISBD named 'ISBD Korea' with 21 Korean researchers. At the first meeting, Yeon Ho Joo (University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center) was elected as the chairman, and Hyun-Sang Cho (Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Mental Health Hospital) and Yong-Min Ahn (Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital) were appointed as the vice-chairmen. Kyooseob Ha (Seoul National University College of Medicine, then Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, now Seoul National University Hospital) was elected as the advisor, and Tae-Hyun Ha (Seoul National University College of Medicine, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital) was appointed as the General Affairs Director. ISBD Korea is resolved to cooperate with the East Asian Bipolar Forum (EABF) and to perform a joint mission in partnership with ISBD.
Figure) The left is the official certificate of the Korean branch from ISBD. The right is the ISBD website, where each country's branch status and ISBD Korea are introduced.
On July 1, 2010, the Korean branch of the International Society for Bipolar Disorder enacted the articles of incorporation. From September 10 to 1, 2010, we held the first East Asian Bipolar Forum in Seoul with EABF and held the first official meeting. At the first meeting, world-class bipolar disorder experts, Mauricio Tohen and Lakshmi N Yatham gave special lectures, and young researchers had active academic exchanges by presenting their research topics and research results.
ISBD's largest annual event, the annual meeting, was also held in Seoul. The 16th ISBD Annual Conference was successfully held at COEX, Seoul from March 18 to 21, 2014. On the same day, a regional conference was held for Korean bipolar disorder researchers for in-depth academic exchanges about thoughts on bipolar disorder from domestic bipolar disorder researchers. In addition, 'Public Lectures for Bipolar Disorder' were held to provide educational activities to promote understanding of bipolar disorder for the public, including patients with bipolar disorder and their families.
Figure) Banner informing of the ISBD Annual Conference held on March 18-21, 2014
Currently, we hold monthly meetings, annual academic conferences, and the 'Bipolar Fellowship Program' for young psychiatrists. We are also making efforts to educate the public in many ways including publicizing diverse content so that more people seek to maintain a better life. ISBD Korea will do its best to help patients with bipolar disorder, their families, and related experts through research and educational activities on bipolar disorder.