My last post was to introduce my theme; if you haven’t, please read it for context. Extract taken from my book Nothing Good About Grief , available at Amazon.
This post aims to shed light on the impact of psychological shock. I explore its symptoms and potential long-term effects. I also highlight potential coping mechanisms to navigate this difficult journey.
Shock Affects You Holistically
Psychological shock, often called “Grief,” is a deep emotional and psychological response. The experience of a significant loss or traumatic event triggers shock.
Shock is a natural reaction that affects individuals to varying degrees. It disrupts the psychological equilibrium, leaving us overwhelmed, disoriented, and emotionally drained.
The death of a loved one can cause grief, the dissolution of a meaningful relationship, the loss of a job, or even a significant life change.
Shock is not primarily psychological, nor is grief. It is also spiritual. Shock is more than psychological. But, for ease, we will call it Psychological shock in this post.
The psychological shock sends destructive chemical waves through the nervous system. This affects your body and injures the soul. The soul is a person’s inner being, your spiritual part. It is the real you. This is where God can help, and that is called holistic healing. Holistic healing brings about an amazing transformation of your whole being.
Lessons from Rabbits!
As a young teenager living in South Australia, we used to joy-ride into the bush at night.
Joy riding was a welcome distraction in the mid-summer heat. It was boiling, far too hot to sleep, so we decided to go joy-riding in the bush. It was fun, far from the city; the sweaty night heat and the flying insects that abound in Australia didn’t bother us.
We wanted to ensure that we did not make a nuisance of ourselves to farmers. So we ventured far into the bushland, driving on dirt roads with no one for miles around.
Far from city light pollution, our car headlights were the only thing that penetrated the inky blackness. We stood in awe at the dazzling display of stars above our heads. The southern cross twinkled happily in the clear, starry night.
As we drove around, something out of nowhere would suddenly dart before us and sit staring at us, spooky! Huge eyes glistened in the darkness as our lights illuminated a strange, mysterious figure.
We stopped the car and saw dozens of wild rabbits like little statues. These bunnies were stunned to the spot. Poor things, they sat in the beam of our headlights, mesmerised, gazing into the light.
They looked like they were thinking of taking me to your leader. We used to joke about it and carry on. But what was happening to those poor rabbits was that they were in shock. The sudden bright lights of our car caused them to freeze to the spot.
Before we came upon them, the bunnies happily hopped around in the dark, looking for prey to feed their babies. Then suddenly, out of the blackness, a bright light intruded upon them. No time to think or escape. They sat in shock, which was the natural response to a sudden happening outside their control. Those bright lights were outside their everyday experience, sending them into shock.
The rabbits were in psychological shock, frozen rigidly to the spot. Now they are vulnerable to prey, other creatures, and, of course, to us.
And the same thing happens to us; we become vulnerable in shock. When we are in shock, we are more vulnerable to anything that happens to or around us. Psychological shock does that. Some people can live with the effects of shock all their lives and not realise it.
Suffering from long-term shock is called post-traumatic shock disorder (PTSD). I suffered from it for many years due to being unexpectedly abandoned by my first husband, who took up with another woman. And what made it doubly difficult was that he was a clergyman. PTSD may result from war, accidents, to anything that causes a sudden deep shock.
The death of a loved one, or any loss, can cause shock on different levels.
How Psychological Shock Affects Your Body & Mind
Deep psychological shock sends chemicals through your nervous system. It swears through your brain. Flashbacks may occur or a complete breakdown in some people.
The experience of shock stops your body from functioning correctly, so you freeze. Thoughts flee, and actions become wooden or erratic. Emotions become buried underneath the veil of hurt or become outwardly uncontrollable. Sleep may come quickly or not at all. The digestive system is affected, and the whole body suffers.
In this stage of grief, you need to be aware of what is happening to you. Then you can adequately care for yourself and protect yourself from your vulnerability.
It’s important to share how you feel with those you live with or are close to you so your loved ones will understand how to support you.
The Science Behind Psychological Shock
Dr Alice Boyse writes for Psychology magazine. She helps us understand the psychological shock process in one of her articles. She states that the hallmark of shock is the feeling of a surge of adrenalin.
You may feel jittery or physically sick as the adrenalin floods your body. Your thinking processes become slow, your mind may feel foggy, and you need help to think straight. You may want to run away or feel pinned to the spot.
You may find yourself screaming, yelling or angry, a common reaction. You may be unable to talk or only say a few words, becoming sullen. Or you may feel disconnected from what is happening or tightening your chest.
Why do we have these symptoms? Dr Alice says:
‘These symptoms are all part of the body’s acute fight, flight or freeze response. Your body prepares you for fast, thoughtless action. For example, blood rushes to the muscles in your limbs, ready for you to spring into activity. You may hyperventilate, leading to the cognitive symptoms of feeling spacey and foggy.’
If you Have Experienced Psychological Shock…
Shock can be an incredibly overwhelming and disorienting experience. Feeling lost and unsure of what to do next is entirely understandable.
During this challenging time, please know that you’re not alone. Lean on your support system, and share your feelings with loved ones. And remember, allow yourself to grieve to process what has happened.
Remember that seeking professional help is okay if you’re struggling to cope.
Please take care of yourself and give yourself time to heal. Remember that healing is a gradual process, and it’s essential to be patient with yourself.
If there’s anything I can do to support you, please let me know. My contact details are below.
In my next post, we will continue with the three stages of grief. We will primarily be examining the stage of Suffering.
Thank you for reading to the end. For more Tips, visit Your Wellness Matters at www.paularoseparish.com. Join our community of women seeking the well-being of mind, body & spirit.
Explore my web site- You’ll find a compilation of health, personal development, faith and wellness resources that concentrate on the holistic approach to preventive health.
We collect Donations for the Neath Port Talbot Branch of Welsh Women’s Aid. Please feel free to donate on The Your Wellness Matters website.
I have worked internationally with over 40 years of experience. I have a Bachelor’s of Pastoral Counselling & Theology. I earned a Master of Arts in Counselling & Professional Development. BACP Life Coaching Certificate. I currently work as a Christian educator, blogger, and author. I am a grandmother and live with my two dogs in Wales, UK.
If you find my articles like this valuable, I invite you to support my work by sharing my articles across the platform you use Thank you.
“Subscribe to Stay Updated: Ensuring Visibility for my Article – Thank You!”
If you wish to connect with me, please do so on paularoseparish@gmail.com
?Want to help support me as an author?
My books are available at AMAZON.
?Nothing Good about Grief: Path to Recovery with Psalm 23 after COVID-19 & other losses.
?Psalm 23 Unwrapped: Hope in Difficult Times.
Find me on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.co.uk/proseparish/
Find Me on www.medium.com/@paularoseparish_54798
