I live with PTSD from years of being abused, starting at age 4… PTSD does not refer the initial emotion that you feel while experiencing or witnessing a trauma. One of the hallmarks of PTSD is that the overwhelming, emotional impact does not go away, but becomes latent until a trigger releases it again—that trigger can be anything, but once released, the person with PTSD experiences the trauma all over again, on an emotional level, and usually with extremely high anxiety and shame added. I have to be vigilant about not responding to triggers—or I really go into a tailspin. I have lost opportunities, money, relationships and precious time because of the depression that comes with PTSD.
Just getting freaked out or stressed out is not PTSD. On some other threads, those with bipolar or OCD asked us not to trivialize their disorders, and I feel the same… PTSD is not easy to live with.
But can someone get PTSD from watching TV—I do think so. I heard about some people who got PTSD from watching CNN run the Twin Towers’ collapse over and over again. More likely, I believe—if a seriously overwhelming emotional anguish comes from watching TV—it might be a PTSD trigger, not a PTSD cause.