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Mrs. Seraphine Aker, LPCC, MS is a counselor in Baxter, MN specializing in counseling. Mrs. Seraphine Aker, LPCC, MS is affiliated with Nystrom and Associates.
13045 Falcon Drive Suite 100
Baxter, MN 56425
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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common disorders diagnosed in children. Nine percent of children in the USA have been diagnosed with ADHD. Symptoms, which include hyperactivity and difficulty maintaining focus or paying attention, can last into adulthood for some patients. Boys are four times as likely to be diagnosed as girls, although experts don't know why this is.
There are three main types of ADHD:
When diagnosing ADHD, it is important to rule out other issues that may be causing the symptoms. Seizure disorders, hearing loss, anxiety, and domestic problems are some examples of problems that can cause behaviors similar to those seen with ADHD.
Treatment can include stimulant medications, behavioral therapy to teach patients ways to navigate their world and control symptoms better, and accommodations at school or work. A structured environment (with lots of organization and well-defined rules) seems to help most kids with ADHD function at their best.
ADHD is mainly thought of as a disorder that affects children, but symptoms can last into adulthood for a third to half of those diagnosed. In adults, ADHD has similar symptoms as when it is seen in children: impulsive behavior, difficulty maintaining focus, being easily distracted, or a tendency to fidget. These symptoms can cause problems in a patient's careers and relationships. Additionally, adults with ADHD are at increased risk for substance abuse. Medications can be an important part of treatment for adults, as well as stress reduction techniques and organization skills training. Specialized ADHD coaches can help adults with ADHD manage their symptoms and succeed in all areas of their life.
Depression
Everyone knows what it feels like to get the blues once in a while. But depression is a serious illness that is more severe than a bad day and lasts much longer. Symptoms of depression stop a person from being able to function and enjoy daily activities for weeks or months at a time. It can happen to anyone, and it isn't something that people can control by force of will or "snap out of it."
Some common symptoms of depression include:
We don't yet know what causes depression, but it's thought that it is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and social influences. Because of this, the most effective treatments for depression combine medication with psychotherapy. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be extremely helpful in resolving the negative thoughts and feelings that come with depression. It gives patients new tools that they can use themselves to cope when their depression is making them feel down.
Some of the common medications used to treat depression include antidepressants such as SSRI's (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) or atypical antidepressants (Cymbalta, Wellbutrin). It's important to remember that these medications have different effects on everybody, and no one medication works right for everyone. Patients may have to try a couple before finding the one that works just right for them. If the first medication they try doesn't work, they should talk to their doctor about trying something else. In extreme cases where medication is not enough, electro-convulsive therapy and hospitalization may be the answer to keeping a severely depressed person safe.
Depression is a difficult illness to deal with, but it is more common than believed and there are many people who can help. With the right treatment, individuals with depression can get back to fully enjoying life again.
Self-Harm
Self-harm occurs when people hurt their own bodies on purpose. People who self-harm may feel an emotional or psychological release after hurting themselves. This release can become a coping mechanism to deal with negative thoughts and feelings. While not a mental illness in itself, self-harm may be a response to abuse, trauma, or other mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Those who self-harm typically do not have suicidal intent, but are at a greater risk of attempting suicide. They may also conceal their self-harm from others, making their behavior and injuries all the more risky. Self-harm frequently arises in adolescence or adulthood. Some self-harm once, while others may self-harm more frequently and for longer periods of time.
People may self-harm by a variety of means, including cutting themselves with sharp objects, burning themselves with matches, or hitting and bruising themselves. Symptoms and signs of self-harming include:
Therapy can treat patients who self-harm. Therapists ask people to explore current and past experiences and emotions that may contribute to the desire to self-harm. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a specialized form of therapy, can also reduce self-harm by encouraging patients to identify negative patterns of thought and to develop coping strategies that do not involve self-inflicted injury. Those suffering from more severe self-harm may require in-patient hospitalization to recover mentally and physically.
Mrs. Seraphine Aker, LPCC, MS is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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Ms. Seraphine Aker works as a counseling specialist in Baxter, MN.
