Anna T. E.

Matheron

Mr.Butler

Literacy 13

18, May, 2017

Shell Shock in WW1

Get down! screamed across the haunting no mans land. Shells have dropped, gas has

been released, and gas masks are worn. The screams and explosions of warfare are tormenting

man for the rest of his life. Sometimes it could be nightmares, but most often times, it could turn

into something way more serious: Shell shock. A condition provoked that has reached thousands

of brave during both World Wars. There is no doubt Shell Shock has strongly progressed through

the years.

There is no doubt Shell Shock was caused by exposure to bombardment and warfare. For

example: The pace and intensity of industrialized warfare had profound effects on the human

mind and body that were not related to wounds or physical injury(Trench Conditions-

Shellshock). This shows that warfare strongly affected the health of certain soldiers. This also

shows that the bombardment put a gigantic amount of stress on the soldiers. In addition a soldier

himself stated: Sweating and listening for the imminent crash that meant our death (An Imagist

at War). This shows that the soldiers were constantly under the stress of the bombs. This also

shows that their anxiety caused by the fear of death strongly affected their health. Undoubtedly,

Shell Shock was caused by exposure to bombardment and warfare.

There is no doubt that symptoms of Shell Shock could be misunderstood. For example:

Shell Shock was generally seen as a sign of emotional weakness or cowardice (BBC Inside

Out). This shows that the shell shock victims couldnt be recognized, thus suffering on their own
and aggravating their state. This is because doctors during World War One had not discovered

Shell Shock yet, and had not understood how serious it was. In addition journalist Philip Gibb

reported in the Western Front stated :"The Shell-Shock cases were the worst to see and the worst

to cure. At first, Shell-Shock was regarded as nonsense and sheer cowardice by Generals who

had not themselves witnessed its effects. They had not seen, as I did, strongly, sturdy, men

shaking with ague, mouthing like madman, figures of dreadful terror, speechless and

uncontrollable. It was a physical as well as a moral shock which had reduced them to this

quivering state" (John Simkin). This shows that the cure for Shell Shock had not been discovered

and the ideas about the disorder were mistaken. This also shows that Shell Shock had a

tremendous effect on the soldiers both physically and mentally. In short, the symptoms of shell

shock during WW1 could be misunderstood.

There is no doubt that Shell Shock is still existing and being treated today. For example:

One hundred years later, much of that ambivalence remains. Millions of dollars are spent in

research initiatives around the world to unravel the complexity of physical, psychological and

emotional trauma (Hampson, Sarah). This shows that even after hundreds of years Shell Shock

(PTSD) still has its traumatic effects. This also shows that now it has been understood it can be

properly treated. In addition : There are two main types of treatment, psychotherapy (sometimes

called counseling or talk therapy) and medication. Sometimes people combine psychotherapy

and medication (PTSD: National Center for PTSD). This shows that cures have been found for

it so that veterans and modern victims of the disorder can be treated. This also shows that current

doctors have made progress and shall know how to act if the situation was repeated. In

summation, Shell Shock is still existing and being treated today.

 The new cures found for shell shock, now called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

have given an opportunity for the victims to be treated better, and faster. It is a huge step in the

medicinal area and it can maybe help veterans move on, one day from what they have went

through during the hell that were the World Wars.

Works Cited

"An Imagist at War." Google Books. Web. 02 May 2017.

"BBC Inside Out - Shell Shock." BBC News. BBC. Web. 04 May 2017.

Hampson, Sarah. "Shell Shock: How Much Has Changed in 100 Years?" The Globe and Mail. The

Globe and Mail, 10 Nov. 2014. Web. 04 May 2017.

John Simkin. Spartacus Educational. Spartacus Educational. Web. 04 May 2017.

"PTSD: National Center for PTSD." What Is PTSD? - PTSD: National Center for PTSD. 01 Jan. 2007.

Web. 04 May 2017.

"Trench Conditions - Shellshock." Canada and the First World War. Web. 02 May 2017.