Psychological Consequences of Detainee Operations: What DoD and VA Health Care Providers Need to Know

Often the veteran will not bring up these experiences because of the shame and stigma. Therefore, clinicians need to ask about the veteran’s experience and whether he or she served at GTMO, Abu Ghraib, Camp Bucca, the Theater Facility in Bagram, or other points of capture.

Although there are many books and manuals about treating PTSD and some literature about providing mental health care to detainees, there is little published about providing care to staff involved with detainee’s operations. I postulate that many staff will have shame, guilt, or moral injury, which leads to suicidal thoughts. Treatment thus needs to be supportive, whether with medications or psychotherapy.

Conclusion

All these issues should be considered by clinical staff who are caring for service members who have been involved in detainee operations. Veterans may not volunteer that they have been involved in these operations; it is important to ask.

Guilt and shame may be large components of the presenting psychological presentation. This may lead to moral injury. Careful exploration of depressive and suicidal thoughts with these patients is needed. An understanding of these challenges will help with clinical care.