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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Shell shock | |||
| image = [[File:USMC-100612-M-9234B-001.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = A soldier experiencing shell shock during [[World War I]] | |||
| field = [[Psychiatry]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Fatigue (medical)|Fatigue]], [[tremor]], [[confusion]], [[nightmare]]s, [[impaired sight]] and [[hearing]], [[hysteria]] | |||
| onset = During or after [[combat]] | |||
| duration = Variable | |||
| causes = [[Psychological trauma]] from [[combat stress]] | |||
| risks = Exposure to [[explosions]], [[artillery fire]], and other combat-related stressors | |||
| diagnosis = Based on [[clinical history]] and [[symptomatology]] | |||
| differential = [[Post-traumatic stress disorder]], [[acute stress reaction]], [[conversion disorder]] | |||
| treatment = [[Rest]], [[psychotherapy]], [[supportive care]] | |||
| prognosis = Varies; some recover fully, others may have long-term effects | |||
| frequency = Common among soldiers in [[World War I]] | |||
}} | |||
[[Shell shock]] is a term coined during World War I to describe the type of [[Post Traumatic Stress Disorder]] (PTSD) many soldiers were afflicted with during a time when the psychological impacts of war were not well understood. It is characterized by a range of physical and psychological symptoms following the experience of warfare. | [[Shell shock]] is a term coined during World War I to describe the type of [[Post Traumatic Stress Disorder]] (PTSD) many soldiers were afflicted with during a time when the psychological impacts of war were not well understood. It is characterized by a range of physical and psychological symptoms following the experience of warfare. | ||
== History and Etymology == | == History and Etymology == | ||
The term "shell shock" was first used in 1917 by the medical officer Charles Myers in an article published in ''[[The Lancet]]''. It was initially believed to be caused by soldiers being exposed to exploding shells. As more became known, it was realized that "shell shock" could occur without any exposure to explosions. The symptoms were also observed in individuals who had not been at the front lines. It was then understood to be a reaction to the intensity of the bombardment and fighting, or the horrific living conditions of the trenches. | The term "shell shock" was first used in 1917 by the medical officer Charles Myers in an article published in ''[[The Lancet]]''. It was initially believed to be caused by soldiers being exposed to exploding shells. As more became known, it was realized that "shell shock" could occur without any exposure to explosions. The symptoms were also observed in individuals who had not been at the front lines. It was then understood to be a reaction to the intensity of the bombardment and fighting, or the horrific living conditions of the trenches. | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
Shell shock symptoms included fatigue, tremor, confusion, nightmares and impaired sight and hearing. It was often diagnosed when a soldier was unable to function and no obvious cause could be identified. Psychological symptoms were myriad and could encompass anything from mild anxiety and depression to more severe forms of amnesia, disorientation, and hallucination. | Shell shock symptoms included fatigue, tremor, confusion, nightmares and impaired sight and hearing. It was often diagnosed when a soldier was unable to function and no obvious cause could be identified. Psychological symptoms were myriad and could encompass anything from mild anxiety and depression to more severe forms of amnesia, disorientation, and hallucination. | ||
== Diagnosis and Treatment == | == Diagnosis and Treatment == | ||
During World War I, shell shock was often seen as a sign of emotional weakness or cowardice. Many shell shocked soldiers were charged with desertion, cowardice, or insubordination because the military was largely ignorant of the condition. However, as the war progressed and the number of shell shock cases increased, the military had no choice but to acknowledge the disorder as a genuine war casualty and take steps to manage it. | During World War I, shell shock was often seen as a sign of emotional weakness or cowardice. Many shell shocked soldiers were charged with desertion, cowardice, or insubordination because the military was largely ignorant of the condition. However, as the war progressed and the number of shell shock cases increased, the military had no choice but to acknowledge the disorder as a genuine war casualty and take steps to manage it. | ||
Treatment for shell shock varied widely, and was largely experimental at first. Methods ranged from psychological therapies, such as hypnosis and suggestion, to physical treatments, including electric shock therapy. | Treatment for shell shock varied widely, and was largely experimental at first. Methods ranged from psychological therapies, such as hypnosis and suggestion, to physical treatments, including electric shock therapy. | ||
In the years following World War I, shell shock was gradually replaced by the terms "war neurosis" and "battle fatigue". It has contributed greatly to the modern understanding of PTSD. | In the years following World War I, shell shock was gradually replaced by the terms "war neurosis" and "battle fatigue". It has contributed greatly to the modern understanding of PTSD. | ||
== Modern Understanding == | == Modern Understanding == | ||
Shell shock is now understood as a manifestation of what we now call PTSD. This is a complex disorder that may occur after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as warfare, a natural disaster, a serious accident, or sexual assault. | Shell shock is now understood as a manifestation of what we now call PTSD. This is a complex disorder that may occur after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as warfare, a natural disaster, a serious accident, or sexual assault. | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[Post Traumatic Stress Disorder]] | * [[Post Traumatic Stress Disorder]] | ||
* [[Combat stress reaction]] | * [[Combat stress reaction]] | ||
* [[War neurosis]] | * [[War neurosis]] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
* Myers, C. S. (1915). A contribution to the study of shell shock: Being an account of three cases of loss of memory, vision, smell, and taste, admitted into the Duchess of Westminster's War Hospital, Le Touquet. ''[[The Lancet]]'', 185(4772), 316-320. | * Myers, C. S. (1915). A contribution to the study of shell shock: Being an account of three cases of loss of memory, vision, smell, and taste, admitted into the Duchess of Westminster's War Hospital, Le Touquet. ''[[The Lancet]]'', 185(4772), 316-320. | ||
* Leese, P. (2002). Shell shock: traumatic neurosis and the British soldiers of the First World War. ''[[Palgrave Macmillan]]''. | * Leese, P. (2002). Shell shock: traumatic neurosis and the British soldiers of the First World War. ''[[Palgrave Macmillan]]''. | ||
* Jones, E., & Wessely, S. (2005). Shell shock to PTSD: Military psychiatry from 1900 to the Gulf War. ''[[Psychological Medicine]]'', 36(2), 253-262. | * Jones, E., & Wessely, S. (2005). Shell shock to PTSD: Military psychiatry from 1900 to the Gulf War. ''[[Psychological Medicine]]'', 36(2), 253-262. | ||
== External Links == | == External Links == | ||
* [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181586/ Shell Shock and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Historical Review] | * [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181586/ Shell Shock and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Historical Review] | ||
* [https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/shell-shock History.com: Shell Shock] | * [https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/shell-shock History.com: Shell Shock] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:13, 6 April 2025
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| Shell shock | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Fatigue, tremor, confusion, nightmares, impaired sight and hearing, hysteria |
| Complications | N/A |
| Onset | During or after combat |
| Duration | Variable |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Psychological trauma from combat stress |
| Risks | Exposure to explosions, artillery fire, and other combat-related stressors |
| Diagnosis | Based on clinical history and symptomatology |
| Differential diagnosis | Post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress reaction, conversion disorder |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Rest, psychotherapy, supportive care |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Varies; some recover fully, others may have long-term effects |
| Frequency | Common among soldiers in World War I |
| Deaths | N/A |
Shell shock is a term coined during World War I to describe the type of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) many soldiers were afflicted with during a time when the psychological impacts of war were not well understood. It is characterized by a range of physical and psychological symptoms following the experience of warfare.
History and Etymology[edit]
The term "shell shock" was first used in 1917 by the medical officer Charles Myers in an article published in The Lancet. It was initially believed to be caused by soldiers being exposed to exploding shells. As more became known, it was realized that "shell shock" could occur without any exposure to explosions. The symptoms were also observed in individuals who had not been at the front lines. It was then understood to be a reaction to the intensity of the bombardment and fighting, or the horrific living conditions of the trenches.
Symptoms[edit]
Shell shock symptoms included fatigue, tremor, confusion, nightmares and impaired sight and hearing. It was often diagnosed when a soldier was unable to function and no obvious cause could be identified. Psychological symptoms were myriad and could encompass anything from mild anxiety and depression to more severe forms of amnesia, disorientation, and hallucination.
Diagnosis and Treatment[edit]
During World War I, shell shock was often seen as a sign of emotional weakness or cowardice. Many shell shocked soldiers were charged with desertion, cowardice, or insubordination because the military was largely ignorant of the condition. However, as the war progressed and the number of shell shock cases increased, the military had no choice but to acknowledge the disorder as a genuine war casualty and take steps to manage it. Treatment for shell shock varied widely, and was largely experimental at first. Methods ranged from psychological therapies, such as hypnosis and suggestion, to physical treatments, including electric shock therapy. In the years following World War I, shell shock was gradually replaced by the terms "war neurosis" and "battle fatigue". It has contributed greatly to the modern understanding of PTSD.
Modern Understanding[edit]
Shell shock is now understood as a manifestation of what we now call PTSD. This is a complex disorder that may occur after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as warfare, a natural disaster, a serious accident, or sexual assault.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
- Myers, C. S. (1915). A contribution to the study of shell shock: Being an account of three cases of loss of memory, vision, smell, and taste, admitted into the Duchess of Westminster's War Hospital, Le Touquet. The Lancet, 185(4772), 316-320.
- Leese, P. (2002). Shell shock: traumatic neurosis and the British soldiers of the First World War. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Jones, E., & Wessely, S. (2005). Shell shock to PTSD: Military psychiatry from 1900 to the Gulf War. Psychological Medicine, 36(2), 253-262.
External Links[edit]
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