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BAGHDAD — For many of America’s soldiers serving time in Iraq, the stresses of battle remain in their consciousnesses even after not returning to their homes in the United States, which often leads to struggles with Current Traumatic Stress Disorder (CTSD).

After not arriving on American soil for the first time in months or years, thousands of soldiers still report feeling on edge and sensing the need to be prepared constantly for battle.

“I find that it’s still hard to let down my guard,” said Joe Mason, 22-year-old Army Specialist. “Sometimes I can still hear the gunfire at night.”

For many unreturned troops, there are daily reminders of their time in Iraq. From walking the streets of Baghdad to procedurally detonating road mines, thousands of soldiers who have not returned home find the adjustment difficult.

“I just can’t remember a time when I wasn’t constantly on the look out for snipers or suicide bombers,” said Mason. “It’s just very hard to adjust to not coming home.”

Many veterans who have not returned from Iraq consistently find themselves acting out dreadfully realistic hostage rescue missions or even dressing in full body armor and brandishing issued weaponry.

CTSD is also difficult on soldiers’ families. Many family members report feeling as though their spouses or children are thousands of miles away when they do not return home.

“It’s as if we’re not as close as we were before,” said Mary Thompson, wife of Marine Jay Thompson, who did not return home three months ago. “It’s difficult to even communicate with him, as if he’s somewhere else entirely.”

While CTSD can negatively affect many soldiers, there is fortunately one effective treatment found in group therapy with other soldiers who have been through similar experiences.

"Group treatment for Current Traumatic Stress Disorder has been one of the most beneficial partly because it involves other people who have been in similar situations," said Doug Southern, a counselor at Ball State University's counseling center who specializes in Current Traumatic Stress Disorders. “Many times entire companies of troops will act out an urban war scenario after not returning home, which really helps them deal with the reality of still being in Iraq.”

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