“Operator syndrome”: A unique constellation of medical and behavioral health-care needs of military special operation forces

Abstract

Objective U.S. military special operation forces represent the most elite units of the U.S. Armed Forces. Their selection is highly competitive, and over the course of their service careers, they experience intensive operational training and combat deployment cycles. Yet, little is known about the health-care needs of this unique population. Method Professional consultations with over 50 special operation forces operators (and many spouses or girlfriends) over the past 6 years created a naturalistic, observational base of knowledge that allowed our team to identify a unique pattern of interrelated medical and behavioral health-care needs. Results We identified a consistent pattern of health-care difficulties within the special operation forces community that we and other special operation forces health-care providers have termed “Operator Syndrome.” This includes interrelated health and functional impairments including traumatic brain injury effects; endocrine dysfunction; sleep disturbance; obstructive sleep apnea; chronic joint/back pain, orthopedic problems, and headaches; substance abuse; depression and suicide; anger; worry, rumination, and stress reactivity; marital, family, and community dysfunction; problems with sexual health and intimacy; being “on guard” or hypervigilant; memory, concentration, and cognitive impairments; vestibular and vision impairments; challenges of the transition from military to civilian life; and common existential issues. Conclusions “Operator Syndrome” may be understood as the natural consequences of an extraordinarily high allostatic load; the accumulation of physiological, neural, and neuroendocrine responses resulting from the prolonged chronic stress; and physical demands of a career with the military special forces. Clinical research and comprehensive, intensive immersion programs are needed to meet the unique needs of this community.

Blast in Context: The Neuropsychological and Neurocognitive Effects of Long-Term Occupational Exposure to Repeated Low-Level Explosives on Canadian Armed Forces' Breaching Instructors and Range Staff

“…Although well-below the threshold for clinical diagnosis (i.e., PCL-5 score ≥ 33), this observation is consistent with a large body of research suggesting a link between multiple deployments, mTBI and increasing vulnerability to developing PTSD and other mental health problems (59,60). These findings should prove useful as researchers work toward developing improved diagnostic tools for distinguishing between the effects of these three conditions that frequently overlap in this population exposed routinely to low-level blast (61,62).…”

Lessons From Special Forces Operators for Elite Team Sports Training: How to Make the Whole Greater Than the Sum of the Parts

“…This allowed to have a better grasp on the risk factors for their mental health and well-being from their own perspective. The results of this survey have been published elsewhere (Huret, 2018 ), however, they were recently confirmed by Frueh et al ( 2020 ), in their results describing the medical and behavioral healthcare needs of a special forces population in the US military.…”

Family Needs After Traumatic Brain Injury: A VA TBI Model Systems Study

“…Also, SMVs are not a homogeneous group. Recent research has identified a unique constellation of health problems, labeled "operator syndrome," experienced by those in military special operations forces, 46 which could result in distinct family caregiver needs. Finally, consistent with the VA's mission of supporting veterans by supporting their families, the impact of unmet family needs on the SMV's TBI rehabilitation outcomes should be explored.…”