A member asked:

Could you have ptsd if there was no physical abuse?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Yes: Witnessing something/ things that are horrific or life threatening can have the same types of effects as actual physical trauma. If the person was terrified with or without physical harm - ptsd is a potential outcome.

Answered 3/4/2014

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PTSD: PTSD results from either being put in harms way with the real possibility of loss of life or inability to escape or the perceived threat of loss of life, and inability to escape. No physical harm has to take place in any of these scenarios, only the perception of severe physical harm or death.

Answered 5/3/2015

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