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Running head: PTSD OFFICERS

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Special Highway Patrol Unit Officers

Your Name

Name of School

Name of the Course

Your Instructor’s Name

Date
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Running head: PTSD OFFICERS

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Special Highway Patrol Unit Officers

1. How important is it for partners to react appropriately in the field? Explain.

Partners need to react appropriately in the field because there could be danger lurking in

every corner. Being in the field is not the time for partners to succumb to their fear and act on

their whims. Partners need to rely on each other to get the job done quickly and safely.

2. What are the key symptoms that may be observed in the partner's actions and reactions

in the scenario? Explain.

One of the key symptoms observed in the partner’s actions and reactions was the sudden

change in his demeanor in the first 2 weeks of his 4th month on the job. After 3 shootouts, he

began hiding and avoiding action. Instead of helping his partner catch the suspect, he was 30 feet

away from him screaming for back-up. On another mission, he was also spotted hiding beneath a

car during a shootout. He said he was fine, but then he called in sick the next day.

3. What are the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder on the part of the partner in the

scenario? Explain.

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include numbing of responsiveness, feelings of

detachment, diminished interest, and avoidance of activities that arouse recollections (Gersons,

1989). These symptoms can be observed from the way the partner acts around potentially

dangerous situations. It can be observed that dangerous missions cause him stress and make him

panic.

4. What are 2 specific actions that should be taken concerning the partner? Explain.
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The partner should take a break and try consulting a therapist for help. He needs to avoid

situations that will worsen his condition, particularly those that bring back memories of

traumatizing events. He should try consulting a therapist and asking for help so that he’ll know

how to cope with his condition. A therapist can suggest coping strategies, prescribe medication,

and educate the patient about PTSD.

Address the following:

5. Select 2 personality disorders common to surviving victims of a life-threatening

experience other than post-traumatic stress disorder.

Aside from PTSD, common personality disorders present in surviving victims include

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD).

For each selected personality disorder, address the following questions:

6. What are the symptoms of this disorder? List and describe.

Symptoms of BPD include self-harm tendencies, self-destructive behavior, feelings of

emptiness and anger, and extreme mood swings. Symptoms of APD, on the other hand, include

low self-esteem, avoidance of situations that require contact with others, feelings of inferiority

and avoidance of risky situations.

7. What types of people typically succumb to this disorder? Explain.

People that typically succumb to these disorders are those that experienced traumatizing

events in life and those that have low self-esteem. Traumatizing events like rejection or

embarrassment can trigger disorders like these from a young age. Incredibly shy children may
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develop APD if they aren’t taken care of. Near-death experiences can also lead to trauma that

may result in these disorders. BPD and APD are disorders that can co-occur with PTSD.

8. How can individuals with this disorder be treated? Explain.

Individuals with BPD, APD, or PTSD can be treated if they admit that something’s wrong

and they consult a therapist. By consulting a therapist, they can learn more about their condition

and understand what they’re going through. A therapist can listen to what they have to say

without judgment and can also educate them on ways that will help them cope with their

condition. Lastly, a therapist can also prescribe medications that can help patients relax and

control their emotions.

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Works Cited

Gersons, B. P. (1989). Patterns of PTSD among Police Officers following Shooting Incidents: A Two-

Dimensional Model and Treatment Implications. Journal of Traumatic Stress , 247-257.