Just watched this link you provided to Kyle telling his story.
That is textbook PTSD symptom of “reliving”. Many people here on FR over the years have described their experience of PTSD after being in a war.
No actor on earth can produce the automatic facial expressions and hyperventilation leading to panic and shutdown. The Judge had no choice but to pause here.
Your exactly correct.
I’ve been in the Army for almost 20 years. I’ve been places and done things and experienced things first hand.
I was listening to Kyle’s testimony of what happened and heard him break down the exact way I have when talking about traumatic experiences.
In fact, I became emotional listening to his sobs and speech as I recognized them immediately.