As Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl begins the long road to adjusting to a new life of freedom, horrific details of his time with the Taliban began to emerge.

According to the The New York Times, Bergdahl, who was released from his confinement in Afghanistan last week in exchange for five Taliban detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, is now starting to open up to medical staff about his experiences under capture.

Bergdahl told officials that he was tortured and beaten by the Taliban. His captors locked him in a "shark cage" like box in complete darkness for weeks, to punish him after an escape attempt.

Military doctors in Germany (where Bergdahl now resides) said that he seems to be in relatively fit physical condition. He weighs 160 pounds and is able to sleep seven hours a night. However, he is still suffering from deep psychological trauma and is not emotionally prepared to return to the United States and reunite with his family at this time.

"Physically, he could be put on a plane to the U.S. tomorrow, but there are still a couple of mental criteria to address: the family unification piece and the media exposure piece," one unidentified American official said.

Bergdahl's condition may be cited by those critical of the decision to make the exchange for the captured soldier's freedom. The Obama administration pointed to a video released by the Taliban in January, which allegedly showed Bergdahl suffering from extreme malnourishment. Officials feared his death was imminent, which is why they moved so quickly to negotiate his freedom. However officials speculate the Taliban may have allowed him more food and movement in preparation for his release.

Many in Congress are upset that President Obama violated the National Defense Authorization Act by failing to notify about the transfer in advance. They also are critical of the decision to release the Taliban detainees, who may act out against the U.S. in the future.

Secretary of State John Kerry defended the administration's decision to make the exchange, ensuring those concerned that the released detainees will be monitored to make sure they don't take action against U.S. troops.

"It would have been offensive and incomprehensible to consciously leave an American behind -- no matter what," said Kerry during an interview with CNN. "To leave an American behind in the hands of people who had tortured him, cut off his head, any number of things. And we would consciously choose to do that? That's the other side of this equation."