Some characteristics of concealed depression

Many people struggle daily with depression. Some hide their depression to look “happy” for their friends and relatives. Others conceal their depression because they do not want to acknowledge the severity of what they are going through and feel that it will go away on its own. On this blog, neuroengineering expert Curtis Cripe details further some of the obvious characteristics of concealed depression.

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Unusual sleep patterns and drinking habits. One of the strongest signs of hidden depression is when a person starts to drink more and more to get some sleep. Negative thoughts always cloud the mind, and for those with depression, drinking may be an escape to cover sadness and feelings of loneliness.

Possibilities of a 'cry for help' which they take back. People who have hidden depression might make an appointment with a doctor or a therapist and would barely make it to the schedule. Dr. Curtis Cripe suggests that people who suffer from hidden depression could also mention hints of suicide in conversations or in social media, and then retracting the statement.

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They tend to have more intense feelings than usual. A person suffering from masked depression feels emotions more intensely than how others feel. Samples of instances are sudden bursts of tears, or a sudden gush of anger over the simplest, more usual statements. They could also be more irritable than usual and would usually spark arguments even if there is no need for one.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in the development of brain-based technology for healing and repairing neurological dysfunctions. For more articles like this, visit this page.

When does anxiety become a medical concern?

Anxiety is defined as a heightened feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease regarding events that have passed or have yet to come. Although most people experience anxiety, there are those whose anxiety require medical attention. Anxiety can sometimes manifest themselves physically in the form of headache, sweating, palpitations, tightness in the chest region, and an upset stomach. According to neuroengineering expert Dr. Curtis Cripe, certain levels of anxiety are medical concerns requiring medication and therapy to manage. Here are some major types of medical anxiety disorders.

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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) GAD is described as chronic anxiety heightened by worry and tension. GAD can be triggered even without the presence of outside stimulus. Like most anxiety disorders, this condition can affect a person’s lifestyle in terms of social activity, work, and personal health.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) This unique anxiety disorder is described as having recurring unwanted thoughts or behavior. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, people suffering from OCD with behavioral compulsions tend to have repetitive ticks such as washing their hands, counting objects, checking and re-checking the status of the room, or performing small rituals before they can go about an activity.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) This unique anxiety disorder only occurs after a person is subjected to a terrifying ordeal or event such as surviving an accident or having their lives seriously threatened. This disorder is common among war veterans as well as people who were harmed repeatedly over a period of time.

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Social Anxiety Disorder Lastly, social anxiety disorder occurs when a person has crippling levels of anxiety and self-consciousness which occur in regular social interactions. This can manifest itself in different ways like fear of speaking or being spoken to. Dr. Curtis Cripe Ph.D., is the head of research and development at the NTL Group. The group specializes in neuroengineering programs aimed at the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. connected to head injury, depression, anxiety, memory disorders, and learning disorders. To know more about Dr. Cripe, click on this link.

What are the potential causes of speech disabilities?

We must be aware of the causes of developmental delays among children, if only to understand the implications of these in mental, physical and emotional growth. Enabling our children to catch up quickly is a matter of detecting delays and providing early treatment.

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One of the most common types and manifestations of developmental issues is speech delay. This refers to a noticeable lag in verbal expression, in the formation of words. It must be noted that language is a broader system for giving and receiving information and is therefore different from speech, as the former includes gestures.


There are many possible causes of both speech and language delays, which could be rooted in the emotional, mental, and physical. A cause could be an inherent learning disability. It could also be that the child has autism spectrum disorders, which refer to various neurological issues impairing both communication and cognitive skills, as well as the ability for social interaction.

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Speech disability may be due to a disorder called dysarthria, in which the child has problems with the muscles controlling his or her speech. This is a concern that should be detected by a language speech pathologist. More situational causes of the delay include early exposure to more than one language, hearing loss after an unchecked ear infection, and the trauma from child neglect or child abuse.

Dr. Curtis Cripe heads research and development at the NTL Group. He has published two peer-reviewed papers and written two book chapters on neurotherapy and neuroengineering. Follow this Twitter page for more posts and updates related to neurology.

The difference between TBIs and concussions

If you’re into sports like basketball, baseball, and football—whether as an athlete or as an enthusiast or follower—you’re probably familiar with the word “concussion,” as it’s often linked to players missing action after, say, a bad fall. They go into what is called a concussion protocol.

Traumatic brain injuries or TBIs, on the other hand, are terms associated with a huge injury mechanism such as a car mishap, a gunshot, or wounds sustained from combat. Also, TBIs are encompassing; the important thing to remember here is that all concussions are TBIs, but not all TBIs are concussions.

To better understand this, it is vital to go back to the term “trauma,” which is a medical term referring to damage in the body due to force, which can be in the form of a hit, a crush, or a cut. For example, a laceration is as much trauma as a sprain or fracture. When the trauma occurs on or in the head, then it can be both a concussion and TBI.

Concussions are a form of closed brain injury and are considered mild as they don’t pose an immediate danger of death. However, they are hard to diagnose and must be duly monitored as they can lead to long-term consequences. Repeated hits to the head, as in boxing or football, can in time cause depression and other psychological dysfunctions.

Concussion specialists need not wait for loss of consciousness or amnesia to put affected individuals under concussion protocols. All in all, while an open traumatic brain injury is indeed devastating, closed ones are seen by specialists as equally dangerous.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in neuroengineering programs aimed at the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders connected to head injury, depression, anxiety, memory disorders, and learning disorders. More information on Dr. Cripe’s current projects here.

How To Deal With People With PTSD

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Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD may be caused by a multitude of events. The disorder may cause someone to feel overwhelming emotions of terror or grief. PTSD has been known to alter the behavior of people dramatically, so much so, that it would be glaringly obvious to those who knew them before the occurrence of the traumatic events.

People who deal with PTSD victims know only too well the need for understanding and action. Doctors, nurses, counselors, friends, and family members know the struggle in helping a person suffering from the disorder. It can be disappointing and frustrating at times, but they do know that PTSD patients are never lost causes.

While PTSD patients exhibit erratic behavior (at the very least), and they are in a state of continuous alert, they are not helpless souls. There have been cases wherein patients have been pulled out from the jaws of crippling paranoia and have learned to stand on their own feet.

However, recovering PTSD patients still need companionship and counseling since it is still impossible to erase memories from one’s mind. To family and friends, they may seem distant, but that does not mean they do not need people around them.

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One of the most important things people have to remember when dealing with PTSD patients is to respect their space and give them some time to be comfortable. In time, they will open up and talk about their experiences. Until then, people are recommended to help PTSD patients go about their daily routines as any normal person would.

Curtis Cripe, Ph.D. heads research and development at the NTL Group, which uses neuroengineering technology that repairs brain dysfunction to treat a myriad of diseases and disorders. Learn more about neurological issues here.

Beyond Medicine: Building An Autism-Friendly Society

People with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, exhibit a common trait. They have difficulty in social interaction, specifically with communication, due to their behavior. Children with ASD are guided by parents, therapists, and teachers in learning life skills. However, social skills are a different matter altogether. And this gets more serious as the child grows to be an adult.

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Adults with ASD may show affection or even the desire to communicate with people around them, but in an unconventional manner. Sometimes, when they try to reach out and their efforts are not reciprocated, they could get frustrated and subsequently have a meltdown. This may be a normal occurrence in his household, where the people around them know how to deal with such an incident, but out in the world, the situation is an entirely different matter.

In building an autism-friendly society, the first step as with all undertakings of this nature, is education. From advertisements to free workshops and seminars, community members have to work together to teach people about ASD and how people with the disorder should be approached.

Identification cards are also a big help. Many children with ASD have ID cards on their person, whether pinned to their clothing or attached to their necklace, saying that they’re a person with disability (PWD).

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Local governments should work hand-in-hand with non-profit organizations in creating facilities in which people with ASD can be taken care of during their free time or when their guardians are at work. These and many more programs are steps in creating a society that helps those with ASD lead normal lives as possible.

Curtis Cripe, Ph.D., founded the Crossroads Institute to help individuals suffering from brain-based dysfunctions. Learn more about Dr. Cripe and his work by subscribing to this Twitter page.

Common Causes Of Forgetfulness

Most people associate forgetfulness or memory loss with the stereotype of age and the associated onset of dementia or the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease. But there’s more to forgetfulness than growing old. And the happy news is that often the causes of memory loss are treatable.

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One is the use of medications. Certain blood pressure pills, painkillers, and antidepressants can cause forgetfulness because they keep one sedated or to control mood swings. The best advice here is to talk to your doctor if you feel that a particular drug is causing you to forget things so that you can be prescribed an alternative.

The second most common cause is general lack of sleep, which can be a consequence of anxiety. These go hand-n-hand in leading to poor memory. The brain ceases to function properly when one is sleepless, leading to poor decision-making and an inability to focus and recall. In the same vein, too much worrying will lead to blocking the formation of new memories.

Drinking alcohol is also a prime reason for forgetfulness, particularly short-term memory loss. Those who drink too much will have moments when they “blacked out” and can’t remember how they even got home. Sometimes alcohol can interfere with the ability to recall even when the effects have worn off.

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Finally, the serious disorder that is depression may cause people to forget. If you are having trouble with finding pleasure in things you’d normally enjoy, or feeling less sociable and having not much drive, you’d feel detached and unable to focus on new experiences and thoughts. Seek immediate help from a psychologist if the symptoms are present.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the director of research and development for the NTL Group. He has published two peer-reviewed papers and wrote two book chapters on neurotherapy and neuroengineering. More insights on neurology here .