Parental concern: Detecting depression in children

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Dr. Curtis Cripe of NTL Group has always been a fierce advocate of mental health and wellness. A huge part of his research deals with the mental health issues that children experience. For this blog, Dr. Cripe reviews childhood depression, more specifically, how to detect it in children.

In case people are still wondering, science has proven that depression exists and is a real problem that needs to be addressed. For parents, it is imperative that they know whether or not their children experience this serious issue.

Below is a list of signs and symptoms to look out for, as shared by Dr. Curtis Cripe.

1. A break in routines

Deviation in patterns may be a cause for concern. Though they may not necessarily be red flags, a sudden change in what children do, for example – simply not finding joy in what used to be their favorite regular activity, maybe a sign that something is off in their minds.

2. Lack of appetite

The unwillingness to eat and nourish oneself isn’t just a sign of depression in adults; it also applies to children. Children are indeed the pickiest eaters out there, so it may be difficult for some parents to catch, but Dr. Curtis Cripe mentions that when children don’t even touch their favorite dishes, it may be a cause for concern.

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3. Long-term negative behavior

When children experience failures in life, these incidents may have a profound albeit sometimes subtle effect on them. They may seem angry for long periods. If it takes more than a few weeks, parents should take action, Dr. Curtis Cripe adds.

Dr. Curtis Cripe has behind him a diverse multidisciplinary professional and academic background, having worked in aerospace, engineering, software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, and child neurodevelopment. Check out this blog for more insights on neurology and related fields.

Depression: The silent killer

To some people, depression is understood and associated with a mere feeling of sadness that brings a person to a low-spirited disposition. To this point, people might loosely say that they are “depressed,” even if they are simply expressing disappointment over something minor, like when they open their fridge and find out that they are out of ice cream. The truth is that depression is a far graver issue.

Dr. Curtis Cripe has studied extensively on the topic, and he brings our attention to what the professionals mean when they talk about depression in the clinical sense. Depression is a disease of the mind, which is referred to as the silent killer, because it makes a person lose himself and his own self-worth.

It isn’t easy to spot a person who is dealing with clinical depression. This is especially true because coping mechanisms for sadness often compel a person to appear normal on the outside, at times when others are around to see them. Fake smiles act as artificial masks to people who have already reached the point of depression, even if they are chaotic deep inside. They typically don’t want to reveal their true feelings for fear of being ridiculed.

One more harsh truth about depression is that not many people are aware that they have it, Dr. Curtis Cripe shares. Brain chemistry imbalances and hormonal shifts combined with a host of other factors can lead to depression, and in extreme cases, suicide. It’s not uncommon for people to shrug things off as mere sad thoughts and think that they’re just having a bad day, just like everyone does from time to time.

For this reason, it is healthy to have oneself assessed periodically by a competent mental health professional, just to see if any intervention is necessary.

Dr. Curtis Cripe, Ph.D., hails from a multidisciplinary academic and professional background that includes aerospace engineering and psychophysiology. He is the director of research and development at the NTL Group, a company that specializes in neuroengineering programs to diagnose and treat a wide array of neurological dysfunctions. Visit this page for more details.

Why the assumption of depression as a phase is false

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In the early 2000s, emo bands were a thing and a lot of teenagers had started dressing up differently. They had been strongly influenced by bands like My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, The Used, and other bands in the genre. But many years later, these same fans changed the way they looked. One could say that the emo look was just a phase, a state one can outgrow over time. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, the opposite is true with depression, because depression is not just a phase.

Depression is an actual health issue: a mental health issue. You don’t tell a cancer to stop spreading or a headache to go away. The thing with depression is that it’s not just about looks; people need to go beyond what they see. Sure, depression can manifest physically (an overall look of tiredness, poor grooming, etc.), but forcing a person suffering from depression to change will only make matters worse.

Depression needs to be handled with precision. Focusing on symptoms like the inability to do certain tasks or certain changes in behavior does not address underlying causes like pain or abuse. As for the person suffering from depression, his or her struggle is within. Still, this does not mean that they have to face it alone.

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To assume that depression is just a phase is false. Depression has been around for a long time, and the idea that it’s just a phase has already been debunked. In a way, calling it a phase oversimplifies the condition and can hurt those who suffer from it. Dr. Curtis Cripe says that seeking professional help is always the best course of action when dealing with this debilitating mental health issue.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is a multidisciplinary neuroengineer and aerospace engineer whose diverse background includes software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. For more reads on depression and other neurological illnesses, visit this website.

Lifestyle changes for people experiencing mental health problems

One of Dr. Curtis Cripe’s areas of expertise is in behavioral health. And while he believes regular consultations with healthcare professionals are the necessary tools in battling and managing mental health problems, Dr. Curtis Cripe also explains that people have to do their part in helping themselves and their loved ones who might be suffering from any illness.

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Below, Dr. Curtis Cripe lists some important activities and lifestyle changes people can do alongside seeing a healthcare professional.

1. Stay connected.

Many people experiencing mental health problems tend to be withdrawn, shying away from society altogether. Dr. Curtis Cripe mentions that people with severe anxiety and depression should stay connected with the people they trust most and are most comfortable with. While this is easier said than done, it can be achieved gradually.

2. Adopt a more active lifestyle.

Science has confirmed exercise as an important tool in improving a person’s mood. Even the simple act of walking around the neighborhood or in the mall for a few hours can help a person suffering from depression. Alongside the release of endorphins, being active diverts a person’s mind from the things that can trigger depression.

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3. Stay away from alcoholic beverages.

Dr. Curtis Cripe strongly cautions people suffering from mental health problems from drinking alcoholic beverages or taking illegal drugs since these substances only serve to dampen one’s mood and create chemical imbalances in the body. Consuming healthy and energizing foods is the way to go, Dr. Cripe adds.

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 various neurological disorders. For more reads on neurology, go to this page.

A few more insights on mental health and the elderly

Dr. Curtis Cripe has years of experience heading the NTL Group, an organization that helps in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases. And in the past few years, Dr. Cripe has shared his knowledge through his series of blogs.

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For this blog, a few issues surrounding mental health and the elderly will be tackled.

Studies have shown that 2 out of every 10 Americans 55 years old and above deal with problems about their mental health. Out of these people suffering from mental health issues, over 30 percent have yet to be treated. Often, the people responsible for taking care of the elderly, whether they be relatives or caregivers, have no inkling as to the mental state of the people they look after – until it reaches advanced stages when symptoms are undeniable.

One common misconception is that dementia is the only condition that hits seniors with a high probability. However, there are some mental health issues other than dementia that are also quite common among the elderly. Many times, symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and even PTSD aren’t noticed by people who work and live with them daily. And many times, these mental health issues aren’t brought to light.

A dangerous belief people have is that the deterioration of one’s mental capacity is a natural part of aging. While it may be true, thinking of it as “natural” leads to an attitude that may forsake or take for granted the need to have the elderly’s mental health checked from time to time. This is a mistake.

If people who take care of a senior feel or sense something off with how they move or talk, Dr. Curtis Cripe urges them to take them to see a mental health professional as soon as possible.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in the creation of neuroengineering programs for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. For more reads on neurology, go to this page.