Early in my career I worked undercover on the mob in NYC / Long Island and outlaw motorcycle gangs for a period of nine months. I know what it's like to play a role where at the end of the day the bad guys might win. (And even located my residence and left a bribe under the door to let me know they knew where to find me.)
And believe me, there was a lot of real emotional topsy-turvy involved, especially when you began identifying more with the bad guys you were investigating than the agents assigned as your backup...and feeling a bit guilty about being a rat. (Of course this has been well documented over the years in various situations.)
Then, when it came to trial, I had to justify the act I put on as a tough guy not to be trifled with for the court and the jurors, while the defense tried to make me out as Svengali who lured otherwise innocent individuals into perpetrating their crimes.
So, while I can feel for anyone experiencing mental and emotional trauma, I'm a little less sympathetic when it's all make believe to begin with.
That said, T, I take your point...ever thoughtful as always, my friend.