Noida: Bhim SinghA man who was kidnapped at the age of nine and kept incommunicado on an animal farm as a slave for three decades before being rescued last week may find his reintegration confusing and demanding, psychologists say. Conduct a thorough assessment.
Their opinions are based on an analysis of what they heard and read, and without a face-to-face meeting no concrete assessment is possible.
But given the years of imprisonment and torture and the horrific isolation he experienced, Beam may be experiencing the effects of long-term sensory deprivation that can result from a complete disconnection from society.
A Delhi-based psychologist said he may have felt “awe” when he was rescued – not from surprise but from an inability to cope with the changes around him.
Experts say emerging from this extreme isolation is like waking up in a different century because it creates a cognitive overload The brain works hard to reconcile past experiences with current reality.
“Everyone relies on predictability to feel safe. When that predictability is taken away, even in seemingly safe environments, the brain interprets it as danger. He needs to build trust with everyone around him , including his family and peers, need to build trust. “In the past 30 years, the world has made progress in many aspects. Entering this reality is a routine and familiar space for others, but it is alienating for him. ”
“Our brains function on sensory stimulation. There are sensations or stimuli such as vision, hearing, smell, etc. When we do not see or feel any particular objects for a long time, we may have difficulty orienting ourselves when we come into contact with them again , “explained Dr. Nand Kumar, Professor of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
“Prolonged exposure to specific stimuli can lead to what is called ‘conditioned memory’, where the brain may also stop recognizing certain objects or experiences. In this case, people may experience hallucinations or memory loss. This is affected by a person’s memory. Past routines, such as their daily interactions, environments and activities over the past 30 years, are very similar to the effects of long-term sensory deprivation,” he added.
Dr Aditi Agrawal, consultant psychiatrist, said: “For three decades, Bhim Singh was completely disconnected from the outside world and missed out on social relationships, emotional comfort and technological changes. This deprivation deprived him of the skills necessary to adapt to society. experience.” Long periods of torture, fear, and longing for family may have given way to deep despair. “
Beem may also be feeling the effects Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), characterized by flashbacks, nightmares and emotional numbing, is exacerbated by decades of isolation, beatings and deprivation, compounded by extreme loneliness.
Dr. Yogendra said: “When a person is tortured for such a long time, the brain develops coping mechanisms that prevent the person from reintegrating into normal life. Even friendly interactions can trigger memories of abuse. However, only after clinical evaluation to draw a conclusion.
“Some precautions his family can take is to give him time and space to build the trust he may have lost, rather than overwhelming him with tons of stimulation. Consulting with a mental health professional can help them better understand his Mental state,” Agarwal added.
Asked whether the government would step in and provide help to Bhim’s family, health department officials in Ghaziabad, where Bhim’s family is based, said they had received no such instructions. “If we receive an order, we will conduct a clinical evaluation,” chief medical officer Akhilesh Mohan told The Times of India.
