Veteran Turned Rapper Sgt Leo Dunson uses music to treat PTSD. LAS VEGAS (FOX5) - One in six Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) last year. Some of them get therapy while others have taken their own lives.<br /><br />To cope, one local veteran took a different route, rapping about life before and after his experiences on the battlefield.<br /><br />Sgt. Leo Dunson's war wounds run deep. Upon returning home, he was on edge. He was facing a divorce and struggled with alcohol. It all led him to a suicide attempt.<br /><br />Dunson said that the only thing that keeps him alive is putting it all down in rap.<br /><br />"With my songs, I write them and record them while I'm in that moment because I want to feel that feeling forever," Dunson said.<br /><br />Dunson raps about the loss of fellow soldiers, his frustrations with the government and his fragile mental state.<br /><br />"What's wrong with me is I've got PTSD," he said. "These pills ain't working for me."<br /><br />Dunson said his transition back to civilian life was rough and nothing could make it better.<br /><br />"I think people don't understand that to go from that extreme experience back to regular life and eating cereal every day… it's weird," he said.<br /><br />Dunson hopes his music - in its raw, no-holds-barred form - will touch others and show them that they're not alone.<br /><br />"I'm doing it for my brothers and sisters who are hurting just like me - people in the same situation, right here, right now," he said.<br /><br />While Dunson doesn't know if he'll ever fully recover, he hopes his story and his music might save someone's life.<br /><br />"I don't want anyone to have experienced what I experienced," Dunson said.<br /><br />Dunson has so far recorded five albums. He's currently taking college classes and hopes to go into public service.<br /><br />For more of the story check out : http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/18528060/local-vet-combats-ptsd-with-rap
