Transcript Shell Shock!

Shell Shock!
Causes, symptoms and how the army
dealt with it!
Causes of Shell Shock
Horrors of War
 Death
 Over the Top
 Killing people
 Day after day of heavy artillery
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Any one of these could cause soldiers to
develop a psychological disorder.
Symptoms of Shell Shock
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Uncomfortable Diarrhoea
Anxiety
Hics
Stomach cramps
Nightmares
Unable to eat or sleep
Re-living nightmares
Losing sight
Dizziness and disorientation
Stammering
Treatment of the “lucky ones”
Massage, Rest, dietary regimes
 Hypnosis
 Hospital treatment
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Not so lucky
Treatment was often harsh and
included...
 solitary confinement
 disciplinary treatment
 electric shock treatment
 shaming and physical re-education
 emotional deprivation
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Punishment
“cowards” “weak”
“deserters”
 Court-martialled and
executed – 304 soldiers
shot by their own side!
 Field Punishment One
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80,000 British soldiers were diagnosed
with Shell Shock
 Many more were killed or committed
suicide suffering from the disorder
 Sufferers were meet with shame and
anger
 Officers were given more sympathy from
the army than ordinary soldiers
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