Tag: shell shock

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Shell Shock: Break Down in WWI. Now they are free.

Antonella Barberini

Well, before facing this topic I have been meditating and taking time for breathing, alone, in the woods. This is one of the most sensitive subject I am still willing to write about. For the side story, I am one of those who experienced panic attacks and tremors, neurosthenia, physical and mental break down, which led to occupational burn out, as a consequence of « Paris Terror », in january and november 2015. Still dealing with the aftermath. But I am confident, and I will sort it out or bust. By the way, I lived a « fake alert », while terrorists were around … Continue reading Shell Shock: Break Down in WWI. Now they are free.

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Repression of War Experience. A poem by Siegfried Sasson.

Antonella Barberini

Now light the candles; one; two; there’s a moth; What silly beggars they are to blunder in And scorch their wings with glory, liquid flame— No, no, not that,—it’s bad to think of war, When thoughts you’ve gagged all day come back to scare you; And it’s been proved that soldiers don’t go mad Unless they lose control of ugly thoughts That drive them out to jabber among the trees. Now light your pipe; look, what a steady hand. Draw a deep breath; stop thinking; count fifteen, And you’re as right as rain …             … Continue reading Repression of War Experience. A poem by Siegfried Sasson.

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Shell Shock and Cowardice in WWI: The Story of Harry Farr.

Antonella Barberini

The Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine has a pdf of a gripping article on Private Harry Farr, a 25 year-old British soldier shot for cowardice during World War I, despite having being treated for shell-shock. As with all other WWI soldiers executed for cowardice, Farr was pardoned earlier this year by the British Government. The article is written by Professor Simon Wessley of King’s College London, who puts the Farr’s court martial and execution in context of the history of World War I, and in the context of what was known about trauma-related psychiatry at the time. There is little dispute about the sequence of … Continue reading Shell Shock and Cowardice in WWI: The Story of Harry Farr.

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All quiet on the Western Front.

Antonella Barberini

Special effects are far from more recent ones, but once you finish this movie, you feel like you lost a friend. Or more. Shell shock is quickly seen on a scene on the front. Face to face combat takes the stage. And dead bodies. This book was one of my first on the WWI, as teenager. It still haunts me, over 40. Minute 2:16:00 “But I know now, I should never come back. Out there all the things that I do, there is no other meaning of life, cos it has no meaning. My companion at the front are the … Continue reading All quiet on the Western Front.

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Heart-felt Compassion for Soldiers in WWI: Farina or Brewster Armor Body.

Antonella Barberini

The article I am preparing on coping with PTSD in WWI will be quite emotional. These are body armors built by Ferruccio Farina also known as Brewster Body Armor shields.   They were employed in trenches, actually, from one trench to the other,  in order to cut the barbed wire inbetween. The fact is that in Italy when they used them for the very first time, soldiers, they didn’t really tested them. And there is this story about a volounteering troop who went out from the trenches, and Austrian were just waiting for them to come out, with submachine guns. They were also adopted … Continue reading Heart-felt Compassion for Soldiers in WWI: Farina or Brewster Armor Body.

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PTSD in WWI so-called “shell shock”: Coward. Sensitive beware.

Antonella Barberini

“COWARD” is a 28 minute film set during World War 1 that brings to light some of the brutal treatment soldiers received for suffering what would now be known as shell-shock. It follows two cousins, Andrew and James, from their home in Northern Ireland who join the British Army to fight for their Country and make their families proud. Through their eyes we see the reality of life on the front lines. Continue reading PTSD in WWI so-called “shell shock”: Coward. Sensitive beware.