Psychology for Remembrance Sunday

As we remember the dead of two world wars and other conflicts today, it seems appropriate to think about shell shock and the anxiety disorder that we now call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In World War One, many soldiers suffered from shell shock with symptoms rnaging from panic attacks (often resulting in running away from the battle) to mental and physical paralysis. Many were brought back to England to be treated for these symptoms although at this time pychology was still a very young science and the treatments were very basic. Enlisted men (foot soldiers) were sent to hospitals where they were treated with electrotherapy. Many thought they were cowards and in some cases men were shot for cowardice when they found themselves unable to go 'over the top' during a battle. The lucky ones (who were mostly officers) were sent to Craiglockhart hospital in Scotland where they were treated by a psychologist called W H Rivers. You can read about Rivers' work and the repression of traumatic memories at the following link:

http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/rivers1.htm

You can also read a vivid account of his work in the novel 'Regeneration' by Pat Barker. This is an account of the meeting of two famous WW1 poets - Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen - when both had been sent to Craiglockhart for treatment. Sassoon survived the war, but Wilfred Owen was eventually killed in action.
Today, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a recognised anxiety disorder and where individuals has experienced extreme trauma, therapy is made available. To read more about this condition go to:

http://www.ptsd.org.uk/