The Psychological Toll of War
World War I was also one of the first conflicts to reveal the deep psychological impact of warfare. Soldiers experienced what was then called “shell shock,” a condition now recognized as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Continuous bombardments, the loss of comrades, and the ever-present threat of death left lasting scars on those who survived.
Many soldiers returned home unable to readjust to normal life, haunted by memories of what they had witnessed. The war did not end when the fighting stopped—it followed them long after.
