When the mind goes blank
The time one spends in an examination hall is always a nightmare! You become clueless the time you sit for your exam, and anything other than what you studied plays in your mind. When you attempt to answer the questions, your mind plays hide and seek with the answers you wish to write. And it is at this point that your mind turns BLANK!
I always experienced it but was never really bothered to understand what it was. I used to pass it off as a momentary or situational fear and that it was generally experienced by all. But now I realize that was hardly true, and it was more person-specific.
So what causes this state of mind, and does the term “blankness” exist?
Yes. It is real and very much experienced by those dealing with this. The technical word for this state is “brain fog” or “anxiety brain fog." It is a state when a person feels anxious and has difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly. Even though at the primary stage it may happen at a subliminal level and the effect is subtle, according to the severity of the situations, so will the intensity of the brain fog. Then, it may become challenging to handle the many consequences of the state, as it can sometimes go out of control, making it difficult for the person to deal with it. It is also quite possible that this condition may lead to mental illnesses, disrupting the person's normal functioning.
Recently I saw a news article on anxiety brain fog that stated that, “With brain fog, a person might feel less mentally sharp than usual. They might feel numb; everyday activities may require more effort." Some people describe it as a foggy haze that makes it difficult to access their thoughts. On the other hand, it can also be unwanted thoughts about one's relationships with others that force the mind to go blank. These series of repeated thoughts that fog the mind, leading to depletion of productive and efficient thinking, are definitely harmful for the mind.
A basic way to deal with brain fog is to be more mindful and to focus on the presence of mind. But it becomes a problem when the person can't get out of it. And even worse is when they do not recognize the need to come out due to the severity of the condition.
At this point, it is recommended that one should and must seek professional help and learn to process and confront the truth about what they might be experiencing. Through therapy and counselling, one can understand their response to such situations and how to overcome it.
Ms. Namratha Jessica
Counselling Psychologist and Student Counsellor
+91 9022092222
admission@presidencyuniversity.in
Itgalpura, Rajanukunte, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, Karnataka, Pin: 560119, India
+91 9022092222