Articles from the Week of December 2, 2022

Interesting quotes

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other.

Richard Bach

These are the people I consider family. They are the people who have been in my corner cheering me on. They support me and are genuinely happy when good things happen in my career. They are also the people who have been with me when things aren't going well. They're all so loving and I know that I [can] count on them.

Ruben Marquez

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.

John Wooden

Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.

Alice Morse Earle

Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.

Brené Brown

“People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity no matter how impressive their other talents.”

Andrew Carnegie 

There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.

Peter Drucker

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

Mother Teresa

Fascinating Facts and Trivia

Merriam-Webster has announced it’s 2022 word of the year and it’s one that is important for every counselor to know. It is “gas-lighting.” The specialists define it the following way: “psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one’s emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator.”

Compare & Despair: Social Media & Mental Health Concerns in Teens with ADHD

Research has repeatedly shown that the more time teens spend on social media the more likely they are to experience anxiety or depression. Although this article was written about teens with ADHD and how

social media affects their mental health, I think the points it makes could probably be relevant to almost all teens. Click here to read the full article.

E-Cigarettes, Vaping Linked to Increased Risk of Tooth Decay and Cavities

Another two reasons to encourage people to not use e-cigarettes or vape. My Norton antivirus gave me a warning that the article could include malware, so I’m not going to include the weblink.

Warnings Resurface About National Security Risk Of TikTok

I know TikTok is popular with many teens. It seems that there are growing cautions that it is a security risk to teens and adults and we should encourage everyone to remove it from their personal equipment. Click here to read the full article. 

12 Keys to Living Well Through the Holidays

Although this article is written to help people with bipolar disorder maintain balance during the holidays, I think these suggestions could be helpful to almost anyone. Click here to read the full article. 

Child sex crime investigator reveals five things her own kids are banned from doing

Keeping children safe is getting more and more complicated. Here is a summary of five things a child sex crime investigator bans her own children from doing. They’re probably worth every parent considering. Click here to read the full article. 

Monkeypox and Daylight Savings Time are too racist so names must be changed

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated today that the name Monkeypox is too racist, and so they are changing the name to mpox. However, the world will be given a one-year grace period to learn the new name. A major news channel also asserted that Daylight Savings Time is also racist, although it is unclear how either the name “monkeypox” or “Daylight Savings Time” are racist.

Bipolar I vs Bipolar II: Major Differences in Diagnosis and Treatment

Here is a video or a transcript that gives us some new information on differentiating Bipolar 1 and Bipolar II disorder and then on the best treatments. According to this academic psychiatrist people with either bipolar 1 or 2 are often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis. The transcript will only take a couple minutes to read, and I think is worthwhile for every counselor to know the information included in it. Click here to watch the video. 

3 Things People with Bipolar Disorder Should NOT Do

If you’re a trained professional counselor you’ve probably heard these before, but if you are working with bipolar clients this might be helpful to them, and because it is written by a person with bipolar, they might accept it more than if this information came from you. Click here to read the full article. 

“The ADHD Characteristics I’m Most Thankful for Are…”

ADHD produces challenges for those who have it. However, there are also positives. Here are some comments from people with ADHD who discuss the good things that come from their ADHD. Click here to read the full article. 

Please Set Up and Maintain Account Recovery Information

When you lose access to your computer account, it is usually traumatizing for anyone. But for a counselor it can be disastrous, since often all your client names and progress notes are stored in your account. If you haven’t set up Account Recovery Information please read this article for why it is important to do this and how to do it. 

Are Repeat Coronavirus Infections Really More Dangerous Than the First?

There is a rumor circulating that, based on a study, repeat coronavirus infections are more dangerous than first infections. Some of your clients may be worried about this possibility, especially since COVID has mutated since the most recent booster was released. This article explains how this misinterpretation began, and what the research study actually said. In general, repeat infections in most people are less severe than first infections. Click here to read the full article. 

Simulated Driver Training May Reduce Accidents Among Teens With ADHD

Teens learning to drive have more accidents than adults, and teens with ADHD are about twice as likely to have accidents than their peers who do not have ADHD. This simulation program appears to have promise in helping all teens to reduce their likelihood of accidents, and of helping teens with ADHD to reduce their likelihood as well. The major challenge will be to make these simulation programs available and affordable for families and teens. Click here to read the full article. 

Making Peace with a Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis

When people discover they have chronic physical or mental condition, it often takes some time to accept that fact. Here is one author’s story of how she has made peace with that reality, and I think the principles she articulates could be helpful to anyone struggling to come to terms with a chronic condition. Click here to read the full article. 

The Adult ADHD Mind: Executive Function Connections

Those who have to interact with an adult with ADHD often become frustrated by the disorganization they experience with their spouse, employee, etc. This article is a good explanation of executive functioning, and if you are working with a client who has to interact with someone with ADHD, this may be helpful to them. Click here to read the full article.

Have a wonderful week (or weekend)!

Henry Virkler