why does body go into shock from experiencing or witnessing traumatic event? Like end of captain phillips

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I know the medical term shock isn’t accurate, but like the scene at end of captain phillips where he finally goes into “shock” or panic attack, what is happening exactly and why. It’s poor circulation but where is the blood? Is it all at vital organs only or something, or is heart just not pumping strong enough? If so, why? Isn’t it more detrimental to go into shock right now?

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4 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

The mental trauma shock you’re describing is a different response from going into shock as a result of physical injury.

The mental one is an extreme form of the fight or flight response that is essentially an unlisted 3rd choice: don’t do anything and wait it out. It happens in response to the same hormones, and everyone is different. Some people are more prone to freezing than others.

The injury one is a lack of perfusion, meaning organs aren’t getting enough oxygen due to reduced blood flow.

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