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, problem-
solving, 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
approaches-
1. 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