Operator Syndrome (OS) is a term that describes a group of issues affecting many special operations veterans. It includes things like memory problems, sleep issues, depression, chronic pain, emotional instability, substance use, and feeling completely burned out. Most people assume it's just from stress, combat, and repeated head injuries. And yeah—that’s a big part of it. But there’s another piece of the puzzle almost no one is talking about: undiagnosed ADHD

Even less discussed is the overlap between ADHD and Operator Syndrome (OS)—a multifaceted clinical profile seen in special operations veterans that includes cognitive decline, hormonal dysfunction, sleep disruption, and emotional instability. These symptoms are often misattributed solely to PTSD or combat trauma, leading to incomplete treatment and devastating outcomes. As both a Navy veteran and an ADHD RSD researcher, I’m here to connect the dots others have missed. This is

While OS has been primarily attributed to the high allostatic load— the cumulative physiological and psychological stress— experienced by these individuals, emerging evidence suggests that undiagnosed or untreated Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may play a significant role in the development and exacerbation of OS symptoms