You're not pathetic! It's a built in physical thing as you didn't get closure from your own trauma. Think about all the people watching the TV in the US during 9/11/01 who still have troubles. Watching things on TV where you are "there" but not is not a good idea for anyone! I remember the Vietnam War and watching all that for the first time; war in one's living room is not a good idea. I don't even have a personal incident like you do and I get upset watching the news sometimes when they're doing up close nasty things I can't do anything about. I wouldn't feel like you have the problem, they shouldn't be showing that stuff on TV in the first place!