You don’t have to almost die to get ptsd. You can get it from
* responding to a bad domestic violence call
* responding to a bad child abuse call
* getting attacked by someone on PCP where you ended up shooting him five times because he wouldn’t stop coming until you physically blew out his knees
* any situation where death feels possible, but unlikely, in the way that car accidents can cause ptsd because you thought you would die, but car technology makes it unlikely for that type of accident.
In all these cases, watching the amount of damage someone has taken can easily cause ptsd.
This is undoubtedly true. But EMTs, firemen and emergency physicians encounter trauma every day on the job and we don't hear them taking it out on wives, children and the general public. What gives?
Good points. PTSD stressors can come from minor traffic stops too, since while it may be rare, they can turn into a lethal situation in a blink of an eye.
In all these cases, watching the amount of damage someone has taken can easily cause ptsd.