Shell Shock Trauma

Words: 1341
Pages: 6
Open Document
B: The psychological terror shell shock was not the result of physical injury but rather caused by the mental trauma and stress of war. Many soldiers that were seen after a significant battle displayed no physical wounds but had obviously been damaged in some other way (Alexander). Officers and medics began to speculate that perhaps these men were mentally affected by the idea of close encounters with artillery and bombs (Alexander). A British medical journal called this phenomenon “shell shock”; named for the shock of the mind as a result of shells from artillery (Alexander). At first, medical opinion deemed that those affected with this so called shell shock had been in close range of an exploding bomb and had acquired a sort of concussion …show more content…
Hubbard had dug himself out after having been buried alive and barely retreated to his post when he collapsed not from physical injury but from horrific stress (Bourke).
C:Due to neglected mental trauma and stress the psychological terror shell shock was made worse because underlying causes were ignored and treatments were ineffective or rejected. Some treatments included disciplinary treatment, electric shock, and emotional deprivation. These treatments did not address the cause of the issue, but rather numbed the effects. Not only did these treatments not work, but they generally added another layer of mental stress …show more content…
“Keep busy, don’t worry, and always be planning something in the future,” he responded after being asked what the secret to longevity was at his 95th birthday (B. Decker). Hart explained that he also found support through the church: “I believe in the power of prayer and feel that the church and what it signifies or stands for is a steadying influence which I would not want to be without,” (M. Seager). Hart passed away at the age of 98 from pneumonia (B. Decker). One of Hart’s grandsons’, Reid Decker, said, “Grandpa only talked about the war once,” (R. Decker). Even now, Hart’s grandson, Scott Seager, explains that it is hard to talk about his involvement in WWI and how it affected his life and the lives of those that surrounded him (S. Seager). Like Hart, many found ways of coping with shell shock. While at the same time, many did
Show More

Related Documents: Shell Shock Trauma

Great War Effects

Although the Great War was no doubt a brutal event in history, through the wounds inflicted and the trauma experienced evolved a new era in medicine; doctors developed new innovations to target the wounds inflicted upon soldiers during war. The Great War spurred new advances in medicine such as immunizations, blood transfusions, and the development and…

Words 1463 - Pages 6

Shell Shock Case Summary

he needs to reach out for help. In 1919, when WWI was over, PTSD was known as, "shell shock". Shell shock was defined as soldier's being in a disoriented state because of what they were subjected to during war or after the war, such as the artillery shells that were used during combat. The specialist found that even other soldiers who were not in contact with exploding shells were…

Words 680 - Pages 3

Trenches: Trench Warfare and Enemy Trenches Essay examples

dangerous and risky thing to do; this was because the soldiers would be out in the open and an easy target for snipers. They were also liable to be shot down by machine guns or blown up by shells. They had to cut through barbed wire and many died entangled in it. The soldiers who were injured had to crawl into shell holes and wait for help; however it took a while for them to get any help and many died slowly and painfully. Some men after suffering weeks or months of torment whilst living in the…

Words 1287 - Pages 6

PTSD In Military

professionals and military officials believed that soldiers developed the symptoms typical of PTSD because they could not handle the stresses and turmoil of combat and broke down as a result. Though the history of symptoms of PTSD resulting from combat trauma experienced by soldiers is extensive, the Civil War signaled the first steps taken towards treating the symptoms. However, Civil War soldiers suffering from the crippling anxiety and hyperarousal were diagnosed with Soldier’s Heart, a name assigned…

Words 983 - Pages 4

Ptsd In Macbeth

(PTSD)”). Paul J. Rosch explained in an article of his that a person may act depressed or detached in some situations. Some victims also may have sudden outbursts of anger (Rosch 1) or feelings of numbness. Avoiding similar situations to a person’s trauma is common (“post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)”). An example of this symptom may be that the victim may avoid going near certain places or being exposed to certain people. Symptoms of PTSD are common in other mental disorders and is also one of…

Words 980 - Pages 4

Essay Psychological Trauma and Wilfred Owen

Fourth of July, may trigger flashbacks of grenades going off and guns firing shells. It is the constant living in fear after going through shocking experiences, that raises questions about what is happening internally that someone cannot control themselves. Even after a war ends military personnel might fight another battle, weeks or even years later, the battle against shell shock. In World War I the term "shell shock" was used to describe a severe psychological disorder discovered among war veterans…

Words 2302 - Pages 10

Essay on Ptsd: Psychological Trauma and Reality Based Survival

disorder who have been raped. Watching a movie last week for my extra credit assignment led me to want to know more about this topic and find out about the people who suffer from this disorder. Within this paper, I will discuss PTSD once called shell shock or battle fatigue syndrome, is a serious condition that can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic or terrifying event in which serious physical harm occurred or was threatened. PTSD is a lasting consequence of traumatic…

Words 1525 - Pages 7

Impacts Of The Trench Warfare On The Western Front Essay

The impact of the trenched warfare may also be identified through the fact that after the death of Behm, Kammerich is depicted having nightmares of his death. It affects his mind negatively leading to mental illnesses as he experiences intellectual shock. The individuals who coaxed such young men to encounter the horrors of war was a shameful individual. Kemmerich is also a member of Paul’s group who is in the hospital. He stands unaware that his leg has been amputated. Paul distinguishes from his…

Words 2324 - Pages 10

PTSD In Warfare

modern accepted definition of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is a psychological disorder in which the instinctual “fight or flight” response has been altered or damaged by, usually, situations that induce extreme fear, stress, and/or physical trauma onto the victim. There is no known cure for PTSD and the treatments that…

Words 1719 - Pages 7

Ww1 Week 1 Personal Narrative

Witnessing the death and destruction around me, losing dear friends in battle, and grappling with my own mortality weighed heavily on my mind. The term "shell shock" came to encompass the mental anguish that many of us experienced, though it offered little solace in the face of such overwhelming trauma, people today would use more medical terms such as PTSD. Propaganda painted a rosy picture of war back home, depicting soldiers as heroes fighting for a noble cause. But the…

Words 736 - Pages 3