Operator Syndrome

Step into the hidden world of elite warriors—Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Air Force PJs, Marine Raiders, etc.—who are haunted by a unique constellation of injuries, born out of years, even decades, of fighting the Global War on Terror. Operator Syndrome identifies and describes the profound impact that years of extreme sacrifice have had on our military special operators and their loved ones. Drawing upon his thirty years of experience with clinical trials, historical epidemiology, and neuroscience research—as well as a decade of applied efforts with special operators across all branches of the U.S. military—acclaimed clinical psychologist Chris Frueh, Ph.D., uncovers a pattern of interrelated afflictions: traumatic brain injury, hormonal dysregulation, sleep apnea, chronic pain, depression, anger, insomnia, addiction, existential angst, and more. Dr. Frueh guides us through the harrowing terrain of Operator Syndrome. He provides a roadmap to understand its multifaceted origins and complex effects on every biological system in the body—as well as the social systems of family, work, and the indifferent society these warriors return to. He explains how modern healthcare systems, especially Veterans Affairs, have too often relied on the PTSD "easy button" and failed a generation of men and women who have carried the brunt of the fight since 9/11. Frueh shines a bright and empathic light on the silent struggles of a community with a "never quit" mindset. Most importantly, he provides real solutions, lifestyle adaptations, and step-by-step treatment strategies that have worked for hundreds of operators, saving lives and giving hope to families.

Step into the hidden world of elite warriors—Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Air Force PJs, Marine Raiders, etc.—who are haunted by a unique constellation of injuries, born out of years, even decades, of fighting the Global War on Terror. Operator Syndrome identifies and describes the profound impact that years of extreme sacrifice have had on our military special operators and their loved ones. Drawing upon his thirty years of experience with clinical trials, historical epidemiology, and neuroscience research—as well as a decade of applied efforts with special operators across all branches of the U.S. military—acclaimed clinical psychologist Chris Frueh, Ph.D., uncovers a pattern of interrelated afflictions: traumatic brain injury, hormonal dysregulation, sleep apnea, chronic pain, depression, anger, insomnia, addiction, existential angst, and more. Dr. Frueh guides us through the harrowing terrain of Operator Syndrome. He provides a roadmap to understand its multifaceted origins and complex effects on every biological system in the body—as well as the social systems of family, work, and the indifferent society these warriors return to. He explains how modern healthcare systems, especially Veterans Affairs, have too often relied on the PTSD "easy button" and failed a generation of men and women who have carried the brunt of the fight since 9/11. Frueh shines a bright and empathic light on the silent struggles of a community with a "never quit" mindset. Most importantly, he provides real solutions, lifestyle adaptations, and step-by-step treatment strategies that have worked for hundreds of operators, saving lives and giving hope to families.

Chris Frueh, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Hawaii, Hilo. He has over thirty years of professional experience working with military veterans, service members, special operators, and private defense contractors. Previously a tenured professor at the Medical University of South Carolina and Baylor College of Medicine, he has coauthored over three hundred scientific publications, including a graduate textbook on adult psychopathology. Frueh has testified before U.S. Congress and served as a paid consultant for the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, the U.S. State Department, and the National Board of Medical Examiners. He has also published commentaries in National Review, Huffington Post, The New York Times, Time, Men's Journal, and Special Operations Association of America. Additionally, he has been quoted or cited in The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Washington Post, Scientific American, Stars and Stripes, USA Today, Men's Health, Los Angeles Times, Reuters, Associated Press, and NBC News, among others. Outside of his purely professional pursuits, Frueh devotes time to SEAL Future Foundation, HunterSeven Foundation, Special Operations Association of America, Boulder Crest Foundation, Military Special Operations Family Collaborative, The Mission Within, VETS, Inc., and Big Country Veterans. He has also published nine historical crime novels, including They Die Alone (2013) and, most recently, A Season Past (2019).