Articles from the Week of December 29, 2023
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! The compilation of articles is a little smaller this week because a lot of writers and editors are apparently taking a break for the holidays. One article on the American Academy of Pediatrics, who have been very affirming of “Gender Affirming” treatments is starting to show the Academy starting to take defensive measures as more detransitioning young people are starting to sue the Academy and doctors claiming that they were started on medication and surgery without being fully informed of the lifelong consequences of such treatments.
Interesting Quotes
Quotes about Marriage
Happy and thrice happy are they who enjoy an uninterrupted union, and whose love, unbroken by any complaints, shall not dissolve until the last day.
Horace
What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life — to strength each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow.
George Eliot
There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.
Martin Luther (this is the theologian who started the Reformation, not the Civil Rights leader)
What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are but how you deal with incompatibility.
Leo Tolstoy
Being a good husband is like being a good stand-up comic — you need 10 years before you can even call yourself a beginner.
Jerry Seinfeld
This book is dedicated to Diane, who has always been way out of my league, but has never left my side.
Steve Gilliland (Many of us feel that same appreciation about our wives)
Quotes about other things than marriage
I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.
Maya Angelou
With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Fascinating Facts
It’s a tradition in Sweden to watch Donald Duck cartoons on Christmas Eve (Source: HistoryFacts.com)
7 Myths About the “Wild West”
Almost everything that you’ve learned from watching Westerns was not actually true about the “Wild West.” I encourage you to read this list of 7 myths—I think you’ll be amazed.
https://historyfacts.com/us-history/article/7-myths-about-the-wild-west/
Which famous person’s teeth turned black, and why?
Queen Elizabeth 1, who lived in the 1500s, had a notorious sweet tooth. Sugar was very expensive, so only the rich could purchase it. Queen Elizabeth 1 loved and used it so much that her teeth reportedly turned black (Source: HistoryFacts.com).
What is the lowest temperature ever recorded on earth?
-128.6 degrees Fahrenheit, recorded in Vostok, Antarctica, on July 21, 1983 and verified by the Antarctic Research Institute.
Counseling Articles
Sued Over Policies on Transgender Children, American Academy of Pediatrics Pulls Forthcoming Book, Takes Steps to Protect Emails from Prying Eyes
The American Academy of Pediatrics has been a staunch supporter of gender transitions for children who have questions about their gender. They have been unwilling to allow any votes among their membership on the topic even though some of their members believe the issue should be discussed. Now a young person who was transitioned at 14 is suing the AAP, and they are pulling a forthcoming book and telling all members to take steps to have any emails regarding gender transitions from being subpoenaed.
Click here to read the full article
A Saying that Represents How Many People Feel
From Ginny Sale’s Facebook page
Click here to see the webpage
7 Ways to Help a Friend with Bipolar Disorder
You might have a client who has a friend with bipolar disorder and asks you how they can help them. Here’s a brief article with some good advice.
Click here to read the full article
Hypomania: The Misunderstood Mood
This writer, who has bipolar 1 disorder, talks about the frustrations she has when in a hypomanic episode, and also some of the coping strategies she uses when in a hypomanic episode.
Click here to read the full article
Keeping Resolutions Realistic with Bipolar
When people with bipolar 1 disorder are in a manic state they sometimes make unrealistic resolutions. This author, who has bipolar 1 disorder talks about a better way to make resolutions.
Click here to read the full article
African priests fill American pulpits as 'reverse missionaries,' revitalizing parishes
This is obviously not a counseling article, but it was such a surprising article that I thought some of you might be interested in reading it. For many years the U.S. has been sending missionaries to Africa. Now Africa is sending pastors to the U.S. to fill some of the churches that are lacking pastors.
Click here to read the full article
Young-Onset Dementia Tied to New Risk Factors
Dementia that affects people in their 40s and 50s is on the increase. This research identifies those factors that are most frequently associated with young-onset dementia.
Click here to read the full article
Is It Safe to Medicate Our Child with ADHD?
Some parents are concerned about medicating their children who have ADHD. Here is a Question-and-Answer article that answers most if not all common concerns. If you are working with a parent who is unsure of whether they want to try their child with medication, this article is factual, accurate, and may be of help.
Click here to read the full article
“What My Daughter Taught Me (a Therapist) About ADHD”
This mother, who is trained and practices as a therapist, tells the story of how it was so difficult to get a correct diagnosis for her child. Apparently some clinical programs do not teach students that while boys are more likely to have ADHD: Primarily Hyperactive or Combined Presentations and are fairly easy to diagnose, girls are more likely to have Inattentive Presentation and are more likely to remain undiagnosed. If you are working with parents who have a daughter who might be experiencing problems because she has undiagnosed ADHD: Inattentive Presentation, this article might be helpful to them.
Click here to read the full article
Woman Just Claimed She’s an “Ecosexual”
A woman has just claimed a new sexual orientation. She identifies herself as an “ecosexual.” She says she’s in love with an oak tree.
Click here to read the full article
Wishing you the best for the New Year!
Henry Virkler