“FBI Bureau Syndrome”: Understanding the FBI’s Unique Mental Health Struggles

Background: The prevalence of mental health symptoms and diagnoses following exposure to traumatic events has been widely studied among the general population and first responders, including police officers and emergency personnel. However, a distinct yet comparable group—Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel—also faces repeated exposure to trauma in the line of duty. Despite this, research on the mental health prevalence among FBI personnel remains limited. Purpose: This study is the first to assess the prevalence of mental health symptoms among FBI personnel, compare these rates to those observed in the general and local law enforcement populations, and examine whether they influence FBI employees' perceptions of their work performance. Methods The sample included 206 trauma-exposed FBI personnel who participated in a three-day intervention program. Results The prevalence of probable mental health diagnoses ranged from 5% (psychosis) to 52% (anxiety). Rates of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, substance use, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were significantly higher among FBI personnel compared to the general and law enforcement populations. Mental health symptom severity, particularly PTSD, was a significant predictor of perceived work performance. Conclusion These findings highlight the mental health challenges faced by FBI personnel and their potential impact on job performance, underscoring the need for targeted mental health assessment and treatment for this unique population.