Navy SEALs Brain Damage and Suicide
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Questions and Answers

What was the cause of brain injury in the Navy SEALs studied in the article?

  • Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
  • PTSD
  • Traumatic brain injury from roadside bombs
  • Repeated exposure to routine blasts from their own weapons (correct)

    • Jennifer Collins pushed for more research into brain injuries in Navy SEALs.

    True

    What was the diagnosis given to David Collins when doctors scanned his brain?

    depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder

    What were some of the symptoms the Navy SEAL experienced after his final deployment?

    <p>moody, confused, plagued by headaches</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What symptoms can deteriorating brain function cause according to SEAL veterans?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the article, Navy SEALs who died by suicide had signs of brain injuries after years around blasts.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where can individuals reach out for help if they are having thoughts of suicide?

    <p>call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the distinctive damage found in every brain tested by the military lab?

    <p>Damage from repeated blast exposure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The vast majority of blast exposure for Navy SEALs comes from enemy action.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What were some of the symptoms David Metcalf experienced due to his brain injury?

    <p>Gaps in memory, failing recognition, mood swings, headaches, impulsiveness, fatigue, anxiety, paranoia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Blast waves may kill brain cells without causing any immediately noticeable __________.

    <p>symptoms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Brain Damage in Navy SEALs

    • A military lab found a unique pattern of brain damage in every Navy SEAL brain it tested, caused by repeated blast exposure.
    • The damage pattern was not seen in civilians or veterans exposed to a single powerful explosion.
    • The distinctive damage was found in the brains of at least 12 Navy SEALs who died by suicide.

    Blast Exposure and Brain Damage

    • The majority of blast exposure for Navy SEALs comes from firing their own weapons, not from enemy action.
    • Repeated blast exposure can lead to brain damage, causing symptoms such as:
      • Memory and coordination problems
      • Insomnia and headaches
      • Depression, anxiety, and paranoia
      • Mood swings and impulsiveness
    • The damage can be cumulative, leading to a sudden decline in cognitive function and behavior.

    Inadequate Communication and Response

    • The lab's findings were not shared with Navy SEAL leadership, preventing them from addressing the issue.
    • The Navy was not informed of the findings, and only learned about them when told by The New York Times.
    • The lack of communication has led to a failure to address the issue, and potentially critical threat to the elite special operators.

    Impact on SEALs

    • The average age of the SEALs who died by suicide was 43, and they had all deployed to combat multiple times.
    • They had spent years firing powerful weapons, jumping from airplanes, and engaging in other high-impact activities.
    • Late in their careers, they started to struggle with cognitive and behavioral problems, which were often misdiagnosed as PTSD.

    Research and Diagnosis

    • The Defense Department's Brain Tissue Repository was established in 2012 to study brain tissue from deceased veterans.
    • The lab's research team discovered a pattern of microscopic damage, which they called interface astroglial scarring.
    • The lab plans to publish findings on astrocyte injuries soon.

    Personal Stories

    • Lieutenant David Metcalf, a Navy SEAL, died by suicide in 2019, leaving a note that described his symptoms and struggles with brain damage.

    • His wife, Jamie Metcalf, said that her husband's death was an attempt to draw attention to the widespread problem of blast-induced brain injury.

    • Jennifer Collins, whose husband, David Collins, was a SEAL, pushed for research on brain damage after his death, and her efforts led to the donation of several SEAL brains to the lab.### Brain Damage in Navy SEALs

    • Research suggests that brain damage in Navy SEALs is caused by energy waves bouncing off tissue boundaries, creating a vacuum that causes nearby liquid in the brain to explode into vapor bubbles, leading to cavitation.

    • Cavitation is a violent process that can blow brain cells apart.

    The Role of Jennifer Collins

    • Jennifer Collins, whose husband was a SEAL for 20 years, made it her mission to get more families to donate brains for research after her husband's death.
    • She shared her husband's case with Navy SEAL leaders, veterans' groups, and gatherings of wives, and often contacted families of SEALs who died by suicide.

    Brain Donation and Research

    • Jennifer Collins' influence led to brain donation becoming more common for Special Operations troops.
    • Researchers have learned much from the donated brains, but little of this information has reached the SEAL team leadership.

    Cases of Brain Damage and Suicide

    • Retired Chief Petty Officer Bill Mulder, an explosives expert, suffered from sleeplessness, memory loss, and frustration, and eventually took his own life at age 46.
    • Lieutenant Metcalf, a high-achieving SEAL sniper, suffered from moodiness, confusion, and headaches after his final deployment, and died by suicide at age 42.

    Broader Problem

    • Many career SEALs have signs of brain injuries after years of exposure to blasts.
    • Several SEAL veterans reported that their former teammates are now divorced and grappling with depression, paranoia, and substance abuse, all of which can be caused by deteriorating brain function.
    • Desperate calls from suicidal friends are common among SEAL veterans.

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    Related Documents

    Navy SEAL Suicide: Pervasive Brain Damage Linked to Blast Exposure (PDF)

    Description

    A study by a military lab found a pattern of brain damage in Navy SEALs who died by suicide, linked to repeated blast exposure. The finding was not disclosed to Navy SEAL leaders.

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