Shock

What is a shock?

A person goes under a mental shock when he or she experiences some disturbing, frightening, or traumatic events like the loss of a loved one. A person who is in shock experiences long-term reactions like flashbacks, unpredictable emotions, and strained relationships.

What are its main signs and symptoms?

The main signs and symptoms of a shock are:

• Loss of memory
• Getting startled easily
• Extreme alertness and looking for warnings of potential danger
• Panic attacks
• Difficulty in falling asleep
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Difficulty in concentration
• Anger
• Depression
• Disbelief
• Confusion
• Terrifying memories
• Irritability
• Nightmares
• Mood swings
• Sexual dysfunction
• Denial
• Changes in coping ability
• Visual images of the event

What are the main causes?

The main causes of a mental shock are:

• Natural disasters
• Domestic and workplace violence
• Terrorism
• Witnessing a death or other traumatic event
• Imprisonment
• Severe injury or illness

How is it diagnosed and treated?

A mental health doctor conducts a physical examination, refers the medical history and notes down the symptoms observed in the patient with shock.

The following treatments are used to treat mental shock:

• Cognitive restructuring: This therapy helps people accept and forget the bad memories to ward off the feelings of shame and guilt.
• Psychotherapy: Also known by the term talk therapy, psychotherapy includes multiple sessions that last from 6 to 12 weeks or longer. These sessions are conducted in the presence of a mental health provider. The support from friends and family received with the help of this therapy helps induce the feelings of trust, confidence and emotions in a person with shock.
• Exposure therapy: This therapy helps people control their fears and worries. Writing and imagination are some of the tools used in this therapy.
• Medications:
• Antidepressants to control the symptoms of getting angry, worrying, feeling sad and emotional numbness
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Relaxation techniques: Techniques like breathing exercises, practising meditation and yoga, and following a routine of regular exercising provides mental relaxation and calmness to a person in mental shock.

1. National Institute of Mental Health [Internet] Bethesda, MD; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, Maryland, United States
2. American Psychological Association [internet] St. NE, Washington, DC. Trauma.
3. Jonathan E. Sherin. Post-traumatic stress disorder: the neurobiological impact of psychological trauma. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2011 Sep; 13(3): 263–278. PMID: 22034143
4. National Institute of Mental Health [Internet] Bethesda, MD; Treatments and Therapies. National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, Maryland, United States
5. Better health channel. Department of Health and Human Services [internet]. State government of Victoria; Shock.