Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Psychogenic shock, also known as fainting or syncope, is a temporary impairment of blood circulation to the brain, often triggered by emotions like fear, anxiety, or pain. This condition causes blood vessels to dilate, leading to a drop in blood pressure and insufficient blood flow to the brain. Symptoms include paleness, nausea, sweating, rapid pulse, and a feeling of light-headedness, ultimately resulting in loss of consciousness. To aid recovery, a person experiencing psychogenic shock should be laid flat, with their head slightly lowered to improve blood flow to the brain.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.