Shell Shock!

1
Shell Shock!

• Causes, symptoms and how the army dealt with it!

2
Causes of Shell Shock

• Horrors of War
• Death
• Over the Top
• Killing people
• Day after day of heavy artillery
• Any one of these could cause soldiers to
  develop a psychological disorder.

3
Symptoms of Shell Shock

• Uncomfortable Diarrhoea
• Anxiety
• Hics
• Stomach cramps
• Nightmares
• Unable to eat or sleep
• Re-living nightmares
• Losing sight
• Dizziness and disorientation
• Stammering

4
Treatment of the lucky ones

• Massage, Rest, dietary regimes
• Hypnosis
• Hospital treatment

5
Not so lucky

• Treatment was often harsh and included...
• solitary confinement
• disciplinary treatment
• electric shock treatment
• shaming and physical re-education
• emotional deprivation

6
Punishment

• cowards weak deserters
• Court-martialled and executed 304 soldiers shot
  by their own side!
• Field Punishment One

7

• 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