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.