Sebastian Junger has seen war up close, and he knows the impact that battlefield trauma has on soldiers. But he suggests there's another major cause of pain for veterans when they come home: the experience of leaving the tribal closeness of the military and returning to an alienating and bitterly divided modern society. "Sometimes, we ask ourselves if we can save the vets," Junger says. "I think the real question is if we can save ourselves."

Sebastian Junger: Our lonely society makes it hard to come home from war

Our lonely society makes it hard to come home from war

Modern society's alienation exacerbates veterans' PTSD, contrasting the unity found in tribal societies and military units.

The transition from the tribal closeness of military life to a divided society may deepen the alienation felt by returning veterans.

Modern society's alienation exacerbates PTSD in veterans, contrasting with cohesive tribal communities that foster quicker recovery.