State of shock: what is it and why does it occur?

A reaction to traumatic or very stressful events in which our mind is blocked.

We are given bad news: someone we love has died unexpectedly. We become pale, paralyzed, not knowing what to do and with a blank stare.

They call our name, but we don't react. We do all these things because we are in a state of shock.The shock of the news or event prevents us from processing the facts in a normal way. Our mind has been blocked, it is in a kind of limbo.

We are not talking about something infrequent: either for this or other reasons we sometimes have reactions or blockages of great intensity due to situations that we cannot manage and that produce great anxiety. and that produce great anxiety. Let us now analyze what it is, when it appears and what it means to enter into a state of shock at a psychological level.

What is the state of shock?

Nervous shock is a highly intense emotional and physiological emotional and physiological reaction of great intensity to highly stressful and traumatic events that have either just that have either just happened or that we have known or processed at the time. Such reactions may include anxiety, loss of consciousness, tunnel vision, dissociative symptoms, rage, anger, crying, nervous laughter, tremors, tachycardia or even complete indifference and lack of reaction.

Most commonly either an affective dulling and loss of cognitive abilities or a hysterical and/or aggressive reaction to the event. and/or aggressive reaction to the event.

Reaction to traumatic events: emotional shock

The state of shock is an emotional shock that can occur for multiple reasons as long as they are very significant, both at the level of personal experienceThe state of shock is an emotional shock that can occur for multiple reasons as long as they are very significant, both at the level of personal experience as well as observation or notification of an event.

Although it can occasionally appear in positive circumstances that cause us great emotion (unexpected hires, great achievements, fulfillment of vital objectives, winning the lottery, etc.), generally the state of shock appears in the face of traumatic and aversive situations and events (e.g., they are common (for example, a death of a loved one, a rape, an accident, the loss of physical or psychological faculties, a breakup or rejection in love or a dismissal are common reasons for us to enter into a state of shock).

It is important to keep in mind that the state of emotional shock is a normal response, and not something pathological.It is important to keep in mind that emotional shock is a normal response, and not something pathological, that occurs in a transitory manner during a relatively short period of time (from minutes to several days). It is not something that has to do with an abnormal functioning of the body, since normally the state of shock appears in very unusual situations in which emotional involvement is justified.

What causes us to enter this state?

We have already said that the trigger of the state of shock is a traumatic or very stressful event for us. But what conditions does this event itself have to have for it to appear?

As a general rule, as far as the event in question is concerned, it is considered that for a situation to generate a state of shock it must be must be perceived as extremely harmful and painful for the subject (or the opposite if the shock (or the opposite if the shock is due to something positive). That is to say, there is a situation in which our whole nervous system is activated to respond to a complex situation in which there is a lot at stake and in which we should respond quickly.

It is also necessary that it is unexpected and that we do not have or believe we have decision-making power or control over it.. Thus, we can consider that what causes the state of shock is the perception of the event rather than the event itself per se.

Therefore, it is the perception of the event that provokes the psychoemotional and physiological reaction of shock. and taking into account that not everyone experiences this state in the same way in the same situations, it is undeniable that there must be internal variables of the person experiencing this phenomenon involved in the experience of the state of shock.

The configuration of neurotransmitters and neuronal structure, the type of personality and self-esteem, previous experiences and the value given to the type of event that comes to be considered traumatic are examples of characteristics that will affect whether or not a state of emotional shock occurs, its intensity and the type of reaction that will be triggered.

Shock and stress disorders

It is common to speak of going into a state of shock in situations in which stress disorders appear. In fact, it could be considered as a first step that can place us between the experience of a traumatic event and the suffering or not suffering from a stress disorder, whether acute or post-traumatic.

This is because the emotional shock or state of shock is considered to be a first, acute and impact phase in the process of reacting to the traumatic event.. In this situation the trauma has not yet been fully processed, and the first reactions are of disbelief and a direct reaction to the knowledge of a certain event that we have not yet accepted.

This phase can last from a few minutes to a few days, being in this moment of initial shock the phase in which the processes of denial of the event usually appear. the processes of denial of the event typical of mourning a loss. Subsequently a second one appears in which the continuation of the same previous symptoms appears, but this time beginning to assimilate the fact.

It is at this point that acute stress disorder could appear.In this case, avoidance of situations similar to or reminiscent of the trauma would appear and a set of problems such as persistent re-experiencing of part of the event, hyperarousal or dissociative symptoms such as depersonalization would appear. And if the symptoms persist for more than three months, the diagnosis could be post-traumatic stress disorder.

Treating shock

Being in shock in the face of a very painful situation is normal. It is a process that is necessary to go through and will usually subside on its own as the person integrates the event into his or her reality.

However, depending on the intensity of the reaction (for example, anxiety crises may appear) or the absence of such a reaction, psychological support and counseling may be helpful in managing the situation. psychological support and counseling may be helpful in managing the situation in the early stages. in the first moments. If the reaction is very intense, relaxation and breathing techniques can be applied or even a tranquilizer can be administered. In this sense, the possibility of providing Psychological First Aid is very positive.

Bearing in mind that sometimes the shock comes from the notification of something unexpected, it is necessary to take into account how it is communicated and the type of person to whom it is communicated, requiring a different approach.The approach required is different depending on the individual. For example, the emotional reaction may be softened if bad news is given in a calm or close manner, while delaying or rushing it excessively may prolong distress and cause anticipatory anxiety prior to the shock itself. Empathy is crucial in these cases.

Subsequently work can be done to prevent the onset of acute or post-traumatic stress disorders, and in the event of the onset of acute or post-traumatic stress disorders, to prevent the onset of acute stress disorders.In the event that these disorders appear, they can be worked on and treated appropriately (exposure techniques, cognitive restructuring and relaxation techniques being some of the most effective strategies).

Bibliographical references:

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Fifth edition. DSM-V. Masson, Barcelona.