SAS personnel have been warned they face a life-threatening condition caused by years of stress unique to the special forces – but the MOD refuses to recognise it.
Called ‘Operator Syndrome’, it is triggered by the mental and biological stress of fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. The condition – first identified in the US – is distinct from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and is specific to highly trained special forces, but SAS soldiers are furious because the Ministry of Defence refuses to recognise it. Symptoms include traumatic brain injury, headaches, substance abuse, sleep issues, stress and problems with sexual health and intimacy.
One former SAS Regimental Sergeant Major last night branded the MoD’s stance a ‘national disgrace’ and called on the Government to step in to aid veterans. The Mail on Sunday has also been told that troops who have the illness are travelling at their own cost to the US for treatment.
The threat to serving and former special forces – known as ‘operators’ – was revealed in an SAS Regimental Association newsletter to members.
It said years of killing and tackling terrorists have a mental and biological impact on soldiers who spend many months taking part in covert operations in war zones.
John Healey, Secretary of State for Defence, visits British servicemen in Cyprus last month
As the face of the Ministry of Defence, Mr Healey has received criticism over his department’s refusal to recognise ‘operator syndrome’ as an official condition suffered by servicemen
‘Operators Syndrome’ is believed to not exist by the MoD, despite a number of scientific journals stating otherwise
The syndrome differs from PTSD, which develops in response to atraumatic incident such as seeing a comrade killed in action. ‘Operator Syndrome’ is instead caused by the ‘extraordinarily high’ cost on a special forces soldier’s body from ‘prolonged chronic stress’ and ‘physical demands’, added the newsletter.
The MoD does not believe the syndrome exists, despite details being published in scientific journals.
A six-year study in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine concluded the syndrome was ‘the natural consequences of an extraordinarily high’ level of stress experienced by special forces.
An MoD spokesman said: ‘Medical experts have assessed there is no evidence to suggest Operator Syndrome is a unique syndrome linked to a specific military cohort. No matter what symptoms our personnel may have, we will always provide them with the specialist medical care they need.’
