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Psychologically Struck Indian Girl Regains Speech

by Gopalan on Jul 2 2008 5:02 PM

Shinjini Sengupta, the Indian school girl psychologically struck after rebuke in a TV reality show, seems to have regained her speech.

“Ami bhalo aachhi. Doctor ra onek test korchhe. Test korar shomoy onek shobdo hochchhilo,” she managed to say when an MP visited her at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bangalore.

She was saying, ‘I'm fine. Doctors are conducting several tests. These tests are very noisy.’

The MP, Sujan Chakraborty from West Bengal in eastern India (from where Shinjni’s family hails), later told reporters that it was good to see Shinjini laugh and respond.

He said: “I have met the medical superintendent and Shinjini’s parents. I am happy to see that she is recovering fast. But I am not sure whether it is a neurological or psychological disorder.’’

Also to visit her Monday were Kaustuv Ray, producer of the reality show that triggered Shinjini’s depression and Ringoo, a judge of the show.

Ringoo said that in a reality show the judges were supposed to advice, assess and scrutinise performance and maintained they had not done anything to insult the girl or send her into depression.

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Producer Ray said Shinjini had a spinal chord problem from her school days, which her father had admitted earlier.

“Today we met the medical superintendent of Nimhans and even he said that she is suffering from Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM),” he added.

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Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is characterized by a brief but intense attack of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord that damages myelin – the protective covering of nerve fibers. It often follows viral infection, or less often, vaccination for measles, mumps, or rubella.  The symptoms of ADEM come on quickly, beginning with encephalitis-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, nausea and vomiting, and in severe cases, seizures and coma.  It may also damage white matter (brain tissue that takes its name from the white color of myelin), leading to neurological symptoms such as visual loss (due to inflammation of the optic nerve) in one or both eyes, weakness even to the point of paralysis, and difficulty coordinating voluntary muscle movements (such as those used in walking).

Meantime West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi also wrote a letter wishing her a speedy recovery. "I am distressed to learn of your illness. Whatever be the cause, I am confident that you will recover and pursue your artistic interests with vigour and without the pressures of artificial competition," the Governor said in his letter.

Source-Medindia
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