Could George Zimmerman have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

The George Zimmerman trial in Florida has been a hot bed of contention for several weeks. It is a fascinating case in which the defense contends that Zimmerman acted in self-defense; believing that his life was in danger. After you break down all of the "he- said, she-said" and endless hours of legal jargon and procedures, the fact remains that one person sustained a broken nose and lacerations to the skull. The other sustained a fatal shot to the heart. Who is innocent and who is guilty is indeed a matter for the jury to decide.

The circumstances that surround this case provide a classic example of how someone may acquire Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A fight in which someone believes that he or she will not survive can lead to post traumatic stress.  A moment in which someone experiences a surge of adrenaline combined with the threat of death is a powerful psychological shocker. Obviously, Zimmerman believed that his life was in danger. He believed that he was going to be either severely harmed or was in danger of losing his life. He chose to defend himself by ending the life of another person. These types of moments are horrific and psychologically shocking. His actions meant that he survived the event, but was described as "stunned" for some time after. 

After such an event, it is common to experience PTSD symptoms such as hyper-vigilance, triggers, nightmares, fragmented memories, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and dissociation. These symptoms can persist for days, months, or years. PTSD symptoms can vary in severity and seem to cycle between one or two symptoms for some time after a terrifying incident.  It would be a bit uncommon if Zimmerman has not experienced at least some of these symptoms.  He even seems a bit dazed and mentally removed during the trial proceedings.

Could George Zimmerman have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? Yes. It is quite possible that he is experiencing a full range of symptoms. It is likely that he relives this trauma on a daily basis and feels that same surge of fear, powerlessness, and shock regularly. PTSD keeps its sufferers in that state of mind for a long time. Whether the posttraumatic symptoms morph into the disorder remains to be seen. If Zimmerman cannot correctly process the event and work towards categorizing those adrenaline charged feelings into a proper perspective, he will likely need treatment for PTSD. 

PTSD Flashbacks and Triggers

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a condition in which someone has been thorough a trauma that was so severe that they believed that they would not survive. This syndrome happens in first responders, military personnel, victims of rape and in those who have experienced trauma.  The classic signs of PTSD are clearly defined, although all sufferers report a variety of symptoms that are specific to their experience as well.

It is common for people who have PTSD to feel as thought they are  re-experiencing their trauma in several ways. Flashbacks can put the person right back into the most terrifying moments of their lives. They may react in fear or with anger. Some people can become very aggressive or withdraw from others for awhile( fight or flight). Flashbacks are serious when they trigger an aggressive response because the experience seems so real and, quite frankly,  the surge of adrenaline can really make you a little crazy in the moment. It takes a lot to calm down and the feeling of sheer fear stays with you for a long time.

Triggers are another symptom that can through a PTSD sufferer into panic mode. A trigger can be anything at any time. It can be something that you see or hear. A smell can bring on a trigger. Some women can smell a certain soap or cologne that brings back memories of their attacker or experience. Triggers can lead to specific or non-specific memories. Specific memories are hard to deal with, but I think that the non- specific memories are more difficult. There is nothing more nerve wracking that half-way remembering something and not being able to fully recall that memory. It's like a mosquito that keeps buzzing around your head. It won't go away and you can't catch it. This type of memory can stay on your mind for days.

Fortunately, signs like flashbacks and triggers are a sign of healing. They are signs that your brain is attempting to put the experience into proper perspective. The brain is designed to move short term memories into long term storage. A lot of people overlook the physical aspects of PTSD, which is that the brain has experienced something that it can not process. This is why people can't remember aspects of their trauma. It is why so much gets repressed and sufferers feel stuck and unable to move on. This makes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder both Psychological and Neurological disorders.

When you have a flashback or something triggers you, the first step is to check your reaction. Do you lash out or withdraw? These are physical reactions such as throwing something or running away from the physical space. Many times an introverted person will flee while an extrovert will push back, but this is not always the case. Identify what your pattern is, so that you can stop yourself from reacting. I know this is a pretty tall order in the moment, because a reaction is just that- an action in response to stress.

Once you identify your natural response, you can take steps to move towards dealing with triggers and flashbacks in a more productive way. Most extroverts who lash out will need to practice constructive reflection whereas introverts will need to find physical outlets that empower them. Doing the reverse of what comes natural to you will help you to deal with the event more effectively.