SHELL SHOCK LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR MODERN PTSD TREATMENT
It’s safe to say that we still have a long way to go in terms of mental health in this country, but the glass-half-full point of view shows that we have also come a long way. Before post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was a common term, “shell shock” was making its rounds to describe the effects of war on troops. Learn more about the evolution of how mental health in the military was viewed and where it is today. Read next:Why PTSD Awareness Day Is So Important For Caregivers
What Is Shell Shock?
Shell shock, or neurasthenia, was a term used by World War I troops to describe the psychological condition many experienced after being exposed to the horrors of war. In today’s terms, being shell shocked would be more associated with PTSD. In World War II, combat stress reaction (CSR) was the term that took its place for troops dealing with the effects of war. Though specific areas of PTSD continue to be described by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) as shell shock, it’s more of a dated term.
What Were the Symptoms of Shell Shock?
Confusion, fatigue, tremors, nightmares, impaired senses (such as sight or hearing), and much more were all considered symptoms of shell shock. It was a diagnosis often found for troops when they weren’t able to perform their duties, but no other logical reason could be found. This was a new type of issue for doctors of the time, and war waits for no one. While the frontlines were plagued with such mental injuries, healthcare providers were struggling to make sense of it all on top of the physical wounds they needed to treat.
W.H. Rivers Presents to the Royal School of Medicine
W.H. Rivers was well-known in the field of psychology and would go on to present his report, The Repression of War Experience, to the Royal School of Medicine in December 1917. His report was based on his work at the Craiglockhart War Hospital for Neurasthenic Officers. The hospital made a name for itself in helping troops suffering from mental health issues after fighting in WWI, and these experiences would help form the basis for the beginning of troops' mental health being taken seriously. There were many instances in which such symptoms would pop up without much thought given to any sort of connection. Many troops were thought to have low moral fiber or even simply be cowards. The work of Charles S. Myers would get the British military to look at the problem as an issue among troops, and Rivers helped create new ways to conduct research on such topics. But in the early days of treatment, helping troops get a better quality of life was less of a focus than getting more bodies back to the frontlines. Still, despite all efforts, only about 20% of those with shell shock returned to the battlefield.
The Evolution of PTSD
As you can see, the history of PTSD in Veterans starts long before it became an official diagnosis in 1980. A variety of social movements would create an emphasis on the disorder, and through decades of improvements, more and more resources are becoming available. This includes third-party, yet reputable, organizations working to provide healthcare treating Veterans and active-duty service members. It also includes official channels from the VA. Where a big motivator for the British military was to simply get fighters back into fighting shape, the resources and goals of modern mental healthcare are much different. Diagnosis, treatment, and managing such conditions are paramount to help those affected and those around them lead a normal life during service and in civilian life. We may not have all of the answers, but there have been many strides made to improve mental health in troops.
How To Treat Shell Shock
Electroshock therapy was a common treatment for those suffering from shell shock. General anesthesia was another clear choice for treatment. Thankfully, we’ve come to much better solutions these days to help those suffering from PTSD. Mental health continues to become destigmatized, and this is opening more and more doors for treatment. Not only that, but access to treatment is also becoming easier. We owe it to our troops to help them live their best lives. In many cases, especially for those exposed to war, this means ensuring the right resources are available for fending off “shell shock” through therapy and other mental health exercises. Suggested read:PTSD Awareness Month Highlights Shocking 75% Veteran PTSD Rate