Much has been written about the devastating effect of war on people. Some of this research deal with trauma experienced by civilians caught up in the vicious web of war, whereas others focus on the soldiers who fight in a war. This study evaluates the mental impact suffered by a particular type of law enforcer, the sniper. From most accounts killing is a dirty business; therefore, the significant question is: what effect does this duty has on those who do the killing? The existing body of research demonstrates that snipers who do the killing experience some level of remorse and then require to spend time justifying and coming to terms with their actions. Even if the remorse is necessary results in post-traumatic stress disorder or other acute psychological health problems is not certain. According to Bourg (2018), mental preparedness is an important component of law enforcement sniping, yet it is at times neglected owing to the full range of skills that a sniper should hone and sustain during a limited training timeframe. Consistent with Bourg (2018) overlooking psychological preparation has the potential to hurt the mental health and health of a sniper, and to the wellbeing of the people, they safeguard.
Mental State of the Sniper
In this scenario, the sniper has killed three suspects, and his actions have adversely impacted the sniper’s psychological condition to the extent where the sniper has made unreasonable decisions that violate protocol. It is clear in the sniper’s mind that he does not want to cause more killings (Fantz, 2013). A good example is evident in the last callout where the sniper fails to follow protocol by taking cover. Instead, he walks up to the suspect who is armed, while he manages to disarm the suspect; the sniper puts the lives of fellow officers and himself in danger. His psychological state has withstood the aftermath of taking the life of another human being to the degree he refuses to sleep in the same bed with his wife.
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Possible Mental Disorders Plaguing the Sniper
In that context, the sniper is showing symptoms of remorse and depression. He might have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Consistent with the National Institute of Mental Health (n.d.) PTSD is a disorder that progresses in some individuals who have encountered or witnessed a traumatic, or risky event. The sharpshooter is distressed by the killings, as ending the life of another human being might have adverse effects on mental health. In other words, he has become emotionally scarred owing to the murder.
Disorder 1
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The sniper seems vulnerable to PTSD for a reason other than the trauma of taking the lives of another human being. To cope with the situation, he indulgences in alcohol abuse. The sniper also shows signs of PTSD, which includes difficulty sleeping. PTSD is a major mental health concern a person might encounter in the military. PTSD can result in the soldier leave his family or end up killing himself (Hartley, Sarkisian, Violanti, Andrew, & Burchfiel, 2013). The condition has also lead to diminished responsiveness to the world around the sniper. For example, he chose to sleep on the couch rather than with his wife. A person living with PTSD can inexplicably shift from experiencing powerful surges of raw emotions, as though in the midst of war, to a complete emotional shutdown (Hartley et al., 2013).
Disorder 2
People who have PTSD are also depressed (Fantz, 2013). The two diseases often go hand in hand. In this scenario, the sniper feels profoundly sad, and has difficulty sleeping, and has lost interest in his wife. He also lacks the interest in executing his duties to the best of his abilities. The event of the sniper crying in the bar is a clear manifestation of depression. Depression is a severe and even life-threatening disease. If left untreated, it can lead the victim to suicide (Fantz, 2013).
Returning to Duty: After Treatment Considerations
Because individuals with PTSD often feel out of control and unsafe, the previous purpose of treatment is to assist the sniper in feeling safe and stable. A physician might prescribe drugs including antidepressants, which may decrease anxiety and depression and make it easier to sleep (Hartley et al., 2013) The sniper can also be enrolled in cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of talk therapy that will assist take away the power of the active memories that come rushing against his will (Kar, 2011). If the sniper shows the signs of improved mental state then he should be allowed back to his regular uniform, but not in the same role. The treatment for snipers differs from one person to another.
Treatment Benefits
There are many ways in which the treatment of the sharpshooter would prove to be beneficial to him as a person in terms of his interpersonal relations and his wellbeing and security. When therapy begins to take effect, the sniper will start to witnesses everything going back to normal (Kar, 2011). The treatment will be a long process but will assist in supporting his wife and colleagues. This will also help his coworkers and spouse to have a better understanding of what the sniper is coping with and foster an atmosphere of compassion. Besides, treatment will also assist the sniper to view things sensibly rather than acting unreasonably and posing himself to danger (Frantz, 2013). Helping the sniper have a better understanding of the demands of his profession, and that he acted in a manner that his seniors would have expected, and that there was nothing wrong with actions will assist the snipe to get a feeling of sanity that has puzzled the sniper.
Conclusion
Consistent with this case study, the aftermath of the sharpshooter’s actions has had an adverse impact on his psychological state after the killing of three suspects. The paper has elaborated on the mental state of the sniper, as well as addressed two of the likely psychological disorders that he has, which are affecting his work. The essay has also described whether the sniper would receive the treatment required, or whether he is capable of going back to his job as a sharpshooter, or probably back to regular uniformed roles. It has also been illustrated how the therapy or treatment of the sharpshooter would benefit him as a person with respect to his social relations and his security.
References
Hartley, T.A., Sarkisian, K., Violanti, J.M., Andrew, M. E., & Burchfiel, C.M. (2013). “PTSD Symptoms Among Police Officers: Associations with Frequency, Recency, And Types of Traumatic Events.” International Journal of Emergency Mental Health , 15(4), 241-253.
Bourg, B.J. (2018). Mental Preparation for Counter Snipers . Retrieved from http://www.hendonpub.com/resources/article_archive/results/details?id=4453
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder . Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder- ptsd/index.shtml
Kar, N. (2011). “Cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder: a review.” Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment , 7, 167-181.
Fantz, A. (2013, Feb 6). Sniper killing aftermath: 5 things to know about PTSD. CNN . Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2013/02/05/health/ptsd-five-things/index.html
