Shell shock

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Shell shock

Shell shock (/ʃɛl ʃɒk/) is a term coined during the World War I to describe the type of Posttraumatic stress disorder many soldiers were afflicted with during the war (combat stress reaction, battle fatigue). It is a reaction to the intensity of the bombardment and fighting that produced a helplessness appearing variously as panic and being scared, or flight, an inability to reason, sleep, walk or talk.

Etymology

The term "shell shock" was first used in 1915 by the British army. It was believed that the high explosive shell's impact caused the soldiers' symptoms. However, the term was banned by the British army in the early 1920s, as it was thought to undermine the fighting spirit of the troops. The term was replaced by War neurosis, which was also later replaced by the more modern term, Posttraumatic stress disorder.

Symptoms

During the World War I, symptoms of shell shock 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.

Related terms

See also

External links

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