Articles from the Week of January 12, 2024 

Apology and explanation: 

This week’s compilation of articles is shorter than most weeks, and I’d like to explain why. 

Partway through the week Microsoft Word stopped working, so I called Microsoft for some help. The person helping me did something that made my computer totally inoperable and hasn’t been able to find a fix for it yet, so I’ve been adapting to trying to use my laptop to compile this newsletter. Several things don’t work the same on the laptop, so I’m gradually learning how to adapt. Hopefully by next week Microsoft will be able to get my desktop working again, or I’ll have learned how to do everything on a laptop. 

Interesting Quotes 

"Goodness is the only investment that never fails." 

HENRY DAVID THOREAU 

"Concern for someone else was a good remedy for taking the mind off one's own troubles." 

ELIZABETH ASTON 

The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely. 

Louisa May Alcott 

We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility. 

Rabindranath Tagore 

Fascinating Facts 

Antarctica has unique characteristics in several ways: In terms of square mileage, it is one and one-half times as large as the United States. A desert is defined as an area that receives 10 or less inches of rain per year, so it is also the world’s largest desert, receiving an average of only 6.5 inches of rain (mainly in the form of snow) per year. It has experienced both the coldest temperature (128.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and the highest winds ever recorded (199 mph). It has an ocean (Deep Lake) that has such high concentrations of salt that it never freezes, even in Antarctica’s temperatures. Eleven babies have been born there, and their infant mortality rate is zero. Its average elevation is 8,200 feet (by comparison, the average elevation in the U.S. is 2,500 feet). (Source: InterestingFacts.com) 

Be thankful you don’t live in Great Britain. To access healthcare through their National Health Service you must choose between 12 genders, 10 sexual orientations and 159 religions. (Source: The Telegraph, a British newspaper.) 

Counseling Articles 

What Will the next generation be called: Introducing Gen Alpha 

Those born between 2010 and 2024have been called “Generation Alpha.” Here is an introduction to some of their characteristics. 

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Finding the Benefits of Bipolar Disorder 

Although bipolar disorder, when undiagnosed and untreated, and especially when added to alcohol and substance abuse, can cause much devastation, this article discusses the benefits that can come to individuals when bipolar is correctly treated. A worthwhile article to share with those who are struggling with the discovery that they have bipolar disorder. 

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Is Your Teen [with ADHD] Ready to Drive? Here's How to Tell—and Rules to Encourage Safe Driving 

Parents of teens with ADHD often dread the time when they will be eligible to drive, and for good reasons. Teens with ADHD are twice as likely to have accidents than other teens, are more likely to get points on their licenses, and are three times as likely to drive when they have been drinking or are high on other drugs. Here’s a good article for such parents on how to prepare their child and encourage safe driving habits. 

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Study Says Casual Pot Use Harmful to Teens 

Teens often believe that casual pot use is harmless. This large study (68,000 teens) found that those who engage in casual use are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience depression and suicidal thoughts. Casual use of pot is also associated with not doing well in school, skipping school, and getting in trouble with the police.  Solet’s help teens to know that casual use of pot is far from benign. 

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Senior Vatican official makes case for a married priesthood 

Although this is not a counseling article, the fact that a senior Vatican official is making what he calls is a “serious case” for the Roman Catholic church to reconsider the requirement that Catholic priests be celibate is something that will probably be of interest to many Christians. 

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 Straight Talk About Bipolar and Suicide 

Suicide is a threat to anyone with bipolar disorder. This is a worthwhile article by Julie Fast, who has bipolar disorder and lived with suicidal thoughts for 20 years. She has some good practical advice for talking with anyone who is suicidal, whether the suicidal impulses come from bipolar disorder or something else. 

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Wait to Caffeinate–5 Benefits of Postponing Your Morning Brew 

Because most of us have long periods where we are sitting, listening, or reading, we use caffeine to help us maintain alertness. This article makes several points about why it may benefit us if we don’t ingest caffeine the first thing in the morning in terms of extending the length of time we feel alert. Many of the points in this article are new to me, so if you take the time to read it, you may want to postpone accepting its points as truth until you’ve heard them from one or more other sources that you deem are credible. 

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A Quarter of Teens with Autism May Be Undiagnosed 

A study in New Jersey of nearly 5,000 teens found that nearly ¼ of those with autism may be undiagnosed. Most of these undiagnosed teens were on the mild end of the spectrum, but they still may be missing out on services that would be helpful to them. So if you work with teens you may want to be watchful for this. 

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Thank God for Constantine? 

Not a counseling article, obviously. Many of us know a little about Constantine. This Breakpoint article gives some helpful information and clears away some of the myths about his reign and the important changes he made so that the Roman Empire came to respect Christians rather than torturing them. 

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Fun Headlines from the Babylon Bee 

9 Hilarious Pranks to Pull on The FBI Agents Tapped into Your Phone Line 

Alaska Airlines Adds New 'Scenic View' Seat For $30 Upgrade Fee 

Boeing CEO Assures Nervous Fliers That All 737 Aircraft Are Built ToThe Highest Diversity Standards 

 

Bipolar Depression: Persevering Through the Winter Blues 

If you have a client with bipolar disorder who finds their depression gets worse during the winter months this article might be helpful. 

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Data Don’t Show Clear Link Between Weight-Loss Drugs and Suicidal Ideation: FDA 

You may have seen claims that Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to suicidal thoughts. The latest finding from the FDA is that such links have not been established. 

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6 Brain Tumor Symptoms You Should Not Ignore 

Brain tumors are rare and most brain tumors are benign rather than malignant, but even benign ones should be treated. Most occur in those over 65. If you are older or have clients who are in that age group, here are six symptoms that suggest someone should consult a doctor. 

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I hope you have a wonderful MLK weekend or coming week! 

Henry Virkler