How shellshock affected
soldiers mentally and
physically in WW1
The shellshock stare
In this picture, this particular soldier is an example of shell shock,
the dazed expression and a steady stare are a common cause of
the shellshock stare. This post traumatic stress disorder at the
time caused some soldiers to variously panic and be scare, flight
and inability to reason, sleep, walk or talk. This is identified as the
signature injury of the war.
Cause of shellshock
The first cause of shellshock was thought to be caused by
soldiers being exposed to exploding shells. Medical staff at
the time there was little sympathy for shell shock victims
with the condition generally seen as a sign o f emotional
weakness and cowardness, they didn’t realise that there
were deeper causes till later. Many asylums, private
mental institutions and disused spas were taken over and
designated as hospitals for mental diseases and war
neurosis.
Symptoms of shellshock
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Hysteria and anxiety
Paralysis
Limping and muscle contractions
Blindness and deafness
Nightmare and insomnia
Heart palpitations
Depression
Dizziness and disorientation
Loss of appetite
The longtime effect of shellshock on the soldiers
When the soldiers came back home with
shellshock, they often panicked at any loud sound,
such as; gunshots on tv, loud noises, dog barks,
and shouting. Some soldiers even came back with
the inability to walk or talk, they would always have
a look of sadness and horror in their eyes as it was
hard for them to forget the traumatic experience
that they went through
Recovery from shellshock
Shell shock victims were often at the hands of the
armed forces medical officers. Only the “lucky” ones
were treated with a variety of cures such as,
hypnosis, massage, rest and dietary treatments.
Most of the time those soldiers would get cured, the
soldiers that would still have to go out and fight did
not though. It affected them long time and caused
them to not have a normal life anymore.