Mashari Alkharji
Mr. Meister/Mrs. Rader
English 10/World History 10
29 April 2018
The Main Cause of PTSD and Other Mental Illnesses in World War I
Before World War I, many technological advances were made by the Industrial Revolution. This led to the production of new weapons, which led to the deadliest war in history. If you were fighting in the war, you were almost guaranteed death by either combat, diseases, and/or mental illnesses. Mental illness spread rapidly during the war, wives of soldiers suffered from major depression out of worrying for their husbands in battle, and soldiers of the war suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a disorder that may develop in people who have experienced a traumatic event in their lives. Symptoms may include flashbacks, frequent nightmares, avoiding addressing the event, anxiety, or a depressed mood. The destructive upgraded weaponry in World War I is the main cause of PTSD and mental illnesses during the war.
The Industrial Revolution was the first technological upgrade for the world. It was prior to World War I and produced many gun companies. These gun companies manufactured guns such as the Lebel and Berthier, Steyr Mannlicher, Mosin-Nagant, etc. Countries competed in weapon manufacturing and were constantly striving to have the strongest weapons out there which played a big role in weapon advancements. Countries manufactured many deadly weapons such as flamethrowers, machine guns, mortars, tanks, chemical weapons, and artillery. Shells shot from artilleries were known to be a huge cause of “shell shock”, a name used for PTSD during WWI.
Shells shot from artilleries were the main cause of PTSD. The shells would produce a heavy explosion sound which deafens the victim for a short amount of time. Walking becomes distorted and soldiers try to grasp what has taken place. Victims of PTSD from World War I dealt with flashbacks of these explosions, or killing enemy soldiers. An example of trauma caused by killing an enemy is shown in “All Quiet on The Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque. The main character Paul Baumer kills his enemy Robert Duval. “A body falls over me into the shell-hole, slips down, and lies across me- I do not think at all, I make no decision- I strike madly at home.” (Remarque 216). In the remainder of the book, Paul expresses his regret in killing Robert Duval and remembers of the event.
More proof of the existence of PTSD in World War I is expressed in All Quiet on The Western Front. “It will go pretty hard with us all. But nobody at home seems to worry much about it. Two years of shells and bombs – a man won’t peel that off as easy as a sock… The war has ruined us for everything.” (Remarque 87). In this quote, Paul tells the audience that the explosions from the shells and bombs would not be forgotten easily, proving the existence of PTSD. Paul also expresses feelings of hopelessness believing he can’t return to his normal life after the war. “I find I do not belong here anymore, it is a foreign world.” (Remarque 168). Paul is referring to when he returns home, he is engulfed with a feeling of alienation caused by the traumatic experiences he had.
Clifton Roat was one of the most notable victims of PTSD during the Great War and showed many symptoms. Clifton was born and raised in Norfolk, VA. Growing up, Clifton was drafted into World War I at age 22 (). While in Egypt, he often sent messages to his family and loved ones. He expressed his homesickness and longing for his home and family in Norfolk. While fighting in trenches later during the war, Clifton experienced war and bloodshed. A shell exploded near him, injuring him and killing all of his comrades (). Later, Clifton was shot in the stomach and immediately hospitalized. He was healed of his physical damage but not of his mental damage after several months in hospitalization (). He returned home and was traumatized by the war, his life changed. He never drank alcohol before the war but developed the habit after due to his traumatic experiences. Clifton is a prime example of victims of Shell Shock and PTSD during the Great War.
PTSD caused by explosions during World War I caused soldiers to fidget and move awkwardly. This is because the soldiers received flashbacks of explosions or other traumatic events. Before treatment, victims would experience flashbacks, nightmares, and they would avoid addressing the traumatic event, these 3 symptoms are the most common symptoms of PTSD today. Seale Hayne military hospital was known for curing victims of PTSD. Harsh treatments were used such as solitary confinement, disciplinary treatment, electric shock treatment, physical re-education, emotional deprivation, and shaming (bbc.co.uk). These attempts to cure PTSD were highly successful and soldiers who were treated showed promising signs of recovery.
Victims of PTSD returning home suffered greatly, they were expected to pick up where they left off. Their traumatic memories and experiences prevented them from doing so easily. Victims like Clifton Road picked up habits like drinking, smoking, or anything similar to suppress the overwhelming thoughts. Soldiers often felt like they didn’t belong when they returned home as portrayed in the novel “All Quiet on The Western Front”. This is because they are so used to the animal instincts they developed to kill or be killed. The collective traumatic experiences and memories have deprived these soldiers of their will to live.
The people of the world also suffered from major depression during and beyond the years of the Great War. Soldiers lost their will to fight and represent their countries on the battlefield. Wives and children at home suffered greatly due to the lack of food and the loss of their loved ones. Over 40% of reported suicides after the war were veterans of World War I. Most of these veterans were victims of Shell Shock (activehistory.ca). This proves some of the PTSD victims of the war had underlying feelings of despondency and hopelessness. World War I sparked the first major spread of mental illness across the globe from young children to older war veterans.
World War I was an eye opener for the entire world, people called it “The war to end all wars.” Countries of the world hated the idea of war after World War I. The United States became an isolationist country temporarily. This meant they did not involve themselves in political affairs with other countries. They refused to join the League of Nations because they believed Europe was a source of great conflict (andycrown.net). Economies declined as a result and people starved.
In conclusion, The destructive upgraded weaponry in World War I is in fact the main cause of PTSD and mental illnesses during the war. Mental illness was put on the spotlight after World War I, however it still remained overlooked. The soldiers of the war experienced trauma and pain no one other themselves can comprehend. A plethora of information on the war can be collected, but in reality no one knows how tragic and detrimental to the mind and body World War I actually was except for the victims.
Works Cited