Medusa, Shell Shock, and PTSD: What Ancient Myths and Modern Medicine Reveal About Trauma

Trauma’s story is ancient and universal, encoded in myths and shaped by history. The myth of Medusa, whose gaze turns victims to stone, captures the essence of trauma’s paralyzing grip and the possibility of transformation. This archetype speaks to the frozen fear many survivors experience and the hope for liberation.

Throughout history, trauma has been recognized in different ways. During World War I, 'shell shock' described soldiers overwhelmed by battle stress, often misunderstood as cowardice or weakness. Later, the term evolved to PTSD, a formal diagnosis acknowledging trauma’s psychological impact.

However, some clinicians and survivors advocate for the term posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI), which frames trauma as a wound that can heal rather than a chronic disorder. This subtle shift reflects growing awareness of trauma’s biological and dynamic nature.

These cultural understandings influence how society treats survivors and how individuals perceive their own experiences. Myths remind us of the courage to face paralysis and emerge transformed, while medical terms shape access to care and stigma.

Recognizing trauma’s many faces invites empathy and opens possibilities for healing beyond labels. Next, we’ll learn from the animal kingdom’s freeze response and the biological roots of trauma to deepen our understanding.

Sources: 2 , 3