War Neuroses #261291

IN order to orient the reader at the outset with the nature of these neuroses, it may be well to note cases representative of the two main types which are to be found. These are conditions of anxiety on the one hand, and of simple conversion hysteria on the other. Case I. The following history is typical of the development and symptoms of an anxiety state. The patient was a man of 27 who had never been ill in his life. He had never shown any neurotic tendencies, having been entirely free from night terrors as a child, and had suffered from none of the fears or inhibitions so constantly met with among neurotics in peace times. He had never had any fear of high places, or thunder-storms, or crowds, or entering tunnels, and had had no sensitiveness to bloodshed. He had been a normal, mischievous boy, had played many games, and had been successful in his work, both in school and when he entered business life. The only abnormality to be found in his make-up was a certain shyness with the other sex, from which he had never entirely freed himself. It was perhaps for this reason that he was unmarried and had never thought of taking a wife. It is interesting to note that he always despised those who developed neuroses of any kind, and when he went to France had Similar disrespect for those suffering from shell shock.