‘I lost six months of my life’: When Disha Patani’s gymnastics practice led to a life-altering injury; how head trauma can wipe out months of memory

Her dedication to gymnastics helped her play a circus performer in Bharat, but it also led to one of the scariest moments of her life. In an interview with Mid Day, she revealed that she suffered a serious head injury while practising on her terrace: “I lost six months of my life because I couldn’t remember anything.” The impact caused memory loss severe enough to erase months of her daily life.

Despite the setback, she continued to train. She said, “When I am not shooting, I alternate between practising gymnastics and MMA in the week. MMA is relatively easier. But for gymnastics, you have to be both consistent and brave. It has taken me a while to reach where I am. You have to do it every day. [Only when] you break your bones and knees do you reach somewhere.” She added that she has been consistently practising for three years and believes, “It’s always good to learn it when you are young, because the body changes after the age of 20.”

But what type of head injuries can lead to such extended memory loss?

Dr Jagdish Chattnalli, senior minimal invasive brain and spine surgeon, Bengaluru West Clinics, HCG Hospitals Bengaluru, tells indianexpress.com, “Memory loss spanning several months typically indicates a significant traumatic brain injury affecting the brain regions responsible for memory storage and retrieval, especially the hippocampus and surrounding networks. Such extended amnesia usually follows moderate to severe concussions, diffuse axonal injuries, or impact-related swelling that temporarily disrupts neural communication.” 

 

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When someone loses months of autobiographical memory, he says, it suggests that the force of impact was strong enough to interfere not just with short-term recall but also with the consolidation of long-term memories. It is a clear sign that the injury compromised core cognitive pathways and required strict neurological monitoring and recovery protocols.

Risks of normalising pain and injury in high-intensity training, especially for young adults

In young adults, Dr Chattnalli notes, whose musculoskeletal and neural systems are still adapting, this mindset increases the likelihood of stress fractures, chronic ligament damage, and cumulative head trauma. “Repeated minor head injuries that are dismissed as part of the sport can have long-term consequences such as persistent headaches, cognitive slowing, mood changes, and increased vulnerability to future concussions. When pain is glorified as a marker of progress, athletes often push through symptoms that should prompt rest or evaluation, raising the risk of irreversible neurological and orthopaedic complications.”

Structured steps or medical evaluations to ensure that the brain and body have healed enough for safe training

A safe return to high-intensity training after a head injury requires a graded and medically supervised plan. Dr Chattnalli states, “The first step is a comprehensive neurological evaluation that includes cognitive testing, balance assessment, and symptom review. Depending on the severity of the initial trauma, neuroimaging such as an MRI may be advised to confirm that there is no lingering swelling or microstructural injury.” 

Once baseline recovery is confirmed, he recommends a stepwise return-to-activity protocol that starts with light aerobic work, then controlled strength training, and finally sport-specific drills. At each stage, any recurrence of headaches, dizziness, visual disturbances, or concentration problems should lead to an immediate pause and re-evaluation.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.