Blank MIND Syndrome

BLANK MIND SYNDROME Objective: Blank Mind Syndrome (BMS) is a state in which the person claims to have no thoughts or reactions in the brain to external or internal stimuli. They claim to feel disconnected from whatever was going on around them, like they were just ‘gone’, yet somehow still trapped in their body. They insist that their mind feels like vast nothingness, where information in various forms was coming in through all their basic senses - see, hear, touch, smell, taste; but they were unable to form a thought or a reaction to the same. Our group is interested in exploring this topic because of various reasons: 1. During the research, we found how controversial this topic is. While some people claim to experience it often these days and describe the exact same symptoms, the other part disagrees and puts forward how ‘by thinking you don't have a thought…aren’t you essentially thinking?’ 2. This condition where the mind becomes blank is linked to various medical issues, ranging from trauma to DP/DR and it is essential to acknowledge this. 3. The fact that in organizations, this condition is rampant. Relevant Literature: BMS vs DayDreaming Daydreaming is a term given when a person’s train of thought breaks away from reality and the task at hand and shifts inward, to personal thoughts and experiences. One of the main points of difference between the two is the presence of thought. BMS vs Zoning Out Zoning out is a natural phenomenon that happens when brain activity decreases and the person’s brain goes to default autopilot mode, like when cooking or driving. But at the same time, if they are unable to bring themselves out of the reverie, like in the case of a person suffering from BMS, they might hurt themselves as they are unable to form their thoughts at a rapid pace. Similarly, in a fast-paced organization, they might showcase sluggish and indifferent behavior where there is a big need for complex information processing, problemsolving, and intentional actions which can be missed resulting in personal and organizational loss. BMS vs Hypnosis Blank Mind Syndrome (BMS) is very different from hypnosis. While hypnosis enhances focus and concentration and the person hypnotized carries out the commands of the hypnotizer, BMS is the exact opposite. BMS is about having a lack of awareness, attention, and focus towards anything around them while remaining in control of their body. The only way these two are the same is that they are unable to gain control of their surroundings quickly. Causes of BMS: 1. Trauma 2. Abuse or neglect in childhood 3. Anxiety 4. Stress 5. PTSD 6. Depersonalization 7. ADHD 8. Monotony 9. Depression 10. Emotional Burnout 11. Sleep Deprivation Approach: To understand the Blank Mind Syndrome in a much better way, we will take these approaches1. Google Forms and LinkedIn polls 2. We will carry out person-focused activities on an individual level to understand the average concentration time of the human body and if it has changed post-Covid. 3. For the above activities, we will target professional networks (personal and in MIHAN), students, and faculty members. 4. After understanding the real causes and problems we will suggest some solutions and will analyze the results. Some questions we are planning on asking, along with more: 1. Have you ever zoned out while driving? 2. Have you ever crossed a red light and then wondered if it was actually green? 3. Are you aware that you have zoned out? 4. Do you lose concentration while working? 5. Have you ever lost train of thought while speaking? Expectations: The list of causes of BMS was compiled before the start of Covid-19, and since then the world and the people in it have gone through various lifestyle changes. Our group aims to analyze how often this phenomenon is caused now and if we can add more triggers or reasons apart from the ones already listed. After understanding the causes we will try to suggest solutions and will try to prove our findings in the form of a social experiment. GROUP MEMBERS: SECTION C – GROUP 9 P22176 RUPAL YADAV P22173 RAJANI MEENA P22138 ANUSHKA JINDAL P22141 BHAVNA PATHAK P22175 ROHAN NATHURAM SAKPAL P22177 RUPAYAN DAS