RESEARCH ARTICLES
Associations of Military-Related TBI With New-Onset Mental Health Conditions and Suicide Risk
OBJECTIVE To identify differences in rates of new-onset mental health conditions (ie, anxiety, mood, posttraumatic stress, adjustment, alcohol use, and substance use disorders) among soldiers with and without a history of military-related TBI and to explore the direct and indirect (through new-onset mental health disorders) associations of TBI with suicide.
“Operator syndrome”: A unique constellation of medical and behavioral health-care needs of military
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.
Operator Syndrome Podcast with Dr. Chris Frueh by MOPs & MOEs 1 hr 33 min
https://www.mopsnmoes.com/podcast/operator-syndrome
Dr. Chris Frueh is back for his second appearance on the pod! If you missed our previous conversation with him we dove into the dysfunction at the VA, with particular emphasis on the disability system.
Dr. 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 and active-duty personnel, and has conducted clinical trials, epidemiology, historical, and neuroscience research. He has co-authored over 300 scientific publications, including a graduate textbook on adult psychopathology.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Induce Angiogenesis and Regeneration of Nerve Fibers in (TBI)
Background: Recent clinical studies in stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) victims suffering chronic neurological injury present evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can induce neuroplasticity.
Veterans Study Reports Reduction in Suicide Ideation after HBOT
A pilot case control study of veterans of the US armed forces with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) or persistent post-concussion syndrome (PPCS), with or without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has found significant improvements in persistent post-concussion syndrome and PTSD symptoms, neurological exam, memory, intelligence quotient, attention, cognition, depression, anxiety, quality of life, and brain blood flow following hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Psychological Autopsy Study Death by Suicides Among US Special Operations Forces
Background: This white paper discusses the aggregate findings from 29 psychological autopsies of Special Operations members who died by suicide between January 1st, 2012 and December 31st, 2015.1 Mental illnesses are diagnosed according to criteria in the forms of symptoms, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors either observable to or reported by the individual to others. The Department of Defense reports show that nearly half of the SOF members examined in the study had a diagnosed mental illness. The Special Operations Association of American (SOAA) offers the following perspective of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and nonphysical conditions that induce neuro-inflammation prevalent and insufficiently treated among SOF members...
Efficacy of a Remote Neurofeedback System in Improving Mental Health
Preliminary findings suggest the efficacy of app-based remote neurofeedback in improving mental health, given the reduced symptom severity from pre- to postassessment for general psychological health, ADHD, anxiety, and depression, as well as adjusted resting EEG neural markers for individuals with symptoms of ADHD. Collectively, this supports the utility of the in-app assessment in monitoring behavioral and neural indices of mental health.