Shell Shock free essay sample

It is more commonly known as â€Å"Shellshock. † PTSD is an anxiety disorder characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and/or insomnia that lingers for four weeks or more after traumatic experience (Myers, pp. 604-605). The term â€Å"Shellshock† was coined together by the British in 1914. At first shellshock was thought to be caused by soldiers being exposed to exploding shells. But doctors couldn’t find any physical damage to explain the symptoms. Medical staff started to realize that there were deeper causes. Doctors soon found that many men suffering the symptoms of shell shock without having even been in the front lines. Many soldiers found themselves re-living his experiences of combat long after the war had ended. Shell shock victims often couldnt eat or sleep, while others continued to suffer physical symptoms. Officers suffered some of the worst symptoms because they were called upon to repress their emotions to set an example for their men; due to this, war neurosis was four times higher among officers then among the regular soldiers (Shell Shock). We will write a custom essay sample on Shell Shock or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The epidemic was completely unexpected and by 1915 there was a shortage of hospital beds for the wounded in mind. Many county lunatic asylums, private mental institutions and disused spas were taken over and designated as hospitals for mental diseases and war neurosis. By 1918 there were over 20 such hospitals in the U. K. At first there was little sympathy for Shellshock victims. Shellshock was so obviously a retreat from the war that many military authorities refused to treat victims as disabled. Some even went so far as to say that they should be shot for malingering and cowardice. Others blamed it on a hereditary taint and careless recruiting procedures. A British General at the time said, â€Å"There can be no doubt that, other things being equal, the frequency of Shellshock in any unit is an index of its lack of discipline and loyalty. † This was a view shared by many and it made the burden of guilt for Shellshock victims even worse (Shellshock ). Shell shock victims found themselves at the mercy of the armed forces medical officers. Treatment was harsh and inhumane. Solitary confinement, disciplinary treatment, electric shock treatment, shaming and physical re-education, and emotional deprivation were used against the mentally ill. Some â€Å"lucky† soldiers were treated with a variety of cures including hypnosis, massage, rest and dietary treatments. Finally, Arthur Hurst, an army major, found a miracle cure for the victims of Shellshock. The cure? Hurst took the men to the peace and quiet of the rolling Devon countryside. The men toiled on the farm, and were encouraged to use their creative energies. By being humane and sympathetic, he was able to cure 90% of shell shocked soldiers in just one session. This was a miracle, considering over 40% of the casualties in fighting zones were victims of Shellshock and by the end of the war over 80,000 cases had passed through British Army medical facilities (Shell Shock). Today’s soldiers suffer from PTSD, but a cure is easier to receive, and most of them are completely cured afterwards. Once cured, they often achieve post-traumatic growth. Post-traumatic growth is positive psychological changes as a result of struggling with extremely challenging circumstances and life crises. Most men have an increases appreciation for life, more meaningful relationships, increased personal strength, changed priorities, and a richer spiritual life. Essentially, out of even our worst experiences, some good can come. (Myers, 2008) Works Cited Myers, D. G. (2008). Psychology, Ninth Edition. New York City: Worth Publishers. Shell Shock. (n. d. ). Retrieved March 14, 2013, from BBC: http://www. bbc. co. uk/insideout/southwest/series1/shell-shock. shtml Shellshock . (n. d. ). Retrieved March 14, 2013, from Sparticus Educational : http://www. spartacus. schoolnet. co. uk/FWWmental. htm |