The judge
at the Oscar Pistorius trial has ruled that the double-amputee will be
sent for psychiatric evaluation after an expert said that he suffered
from an anxiety disorder that gave him 'hyper-vigilance'.
Psychiatrist
Dr Merryll Vorster, for the defence, said that Pistorius' condition is
linked to his disability and meant that he was prone to fight, rather
than take flight, in the presence of perceived danger.
If
Pistorius' condition is found to have played a role in the fatal
shooting of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his home on February 14, 2013,
then he may escape a murder charge.
Deep in conversation: Oscar Pistorius (left)
speaks with his uncle Arnold Pistorius (right) during his trial at the
high court in Pretoria on Tuesday
Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius listens to the State Prosecutor during his trial at the high court in Pretoria, on Tuesday
It means that the trial - already on its 32nd day - will be delayed.
Judge Thokozile Masipa said the court would hand down
the details of the assessment on Tuesday, adding it would be preferable
for him to undergo the evaluation as an outpatient.
The decision on Wednesday by Masipa followed a request for a psychiatric evaluation by the
chief prosecutor, Gerrie Nel.
Nel questioned why the defense decided to ask Dr Vorster to testify on behalf of the Olympic runner.
He
has suggested that the trial is not going well for Pistorius and that
his lawyers are floating the idea that a disorder contributed to
Steenkamp's shooting and that therefore Pistorius bears less
responsibility for her death.
Pistorius
says he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder when he shot her through the
closed door of a toilet cubicle. Prosecutors say he killed her in anger
after an argument.
WHAT IS THE 'HYPER-VIGILANCE' CONDITION? AN EXPERT EXPLAINS
Professor
Craig Jackson, Head of Psychology at Birmingham City University,
explained to MailOnline more about the condition that it's claimed Oscar
Pistorius has.
'Hyper-vigilance is more of a behavioural symptom of wider psychological problems than an actual psychiatric condition in itself,' he said.
'Hyper-vigilance is when an individual is in a chronic state of high anxiety and arousal and is constantly scanning their surroundings - the environment they are in, as well as friends and the people they encounter - for threats.
'This is often as the result of suffering a traumatic or frightening experience. After a while this state becomes second nature to the fearful individual and begins to shape their routine behaviours - for example always checking behind closed doors when entering a room, or assessing new places for the nearest emergency exit.
'Those who are hyper-vigilant are often easily startled, suffer from poor sleeping patterns, may have difficulty concentrating, and can be quite quarrelsome, spontaneous and irritable.
'Hyper-vigilance is one of the symptoms required in order for psychiatrists to make a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) alongside other symptoms of intense fear such as avoidance, re-experience, flashbacks and intense arousal.
'Not everyone who suffers traumatic events will go on to develop PTSD or hyper-vigilance, and there may be other underlying personality factors or past experiences that make it more likely to manifest in some rather than others, such as narcissism or high intelligence.'
'Hyper-vigilance is more of a behavioural symptom of wider psychological problems than an actual psychiatric condition in itself,' he said.
'Hyper-vigilance is when an individual is in a chronic state of high anxiety and arousal and is constantly scanning their surroundings - the environment they are in, as well as friends and the people they encounter - for threats.
'This is often as the result of suffering a traumatic or frightening experience. After a while this state becomes second nature to the fearful individual and begins to shape their routine behaviours - for example always checking behind closed doors when entering a room, or assessing new places for the nearest emergency exit.
'Those who are hyper-vigilant are often easily startled, suffer from poor sleeping patterns, may have difficulty concentrating, and can be quite quarrelsome, spontaneous and irritable.
'Hyper-vigilance is one of the symptoms required in order for psychiatrists to make a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) alongside other symptoms of intense fear such as avoidance, re-experience, flashbacks and intense arousal.
'Not everyone who suffers traumatic events will go on to develop PTSD or hyper-vigilance, and there may be other underlying personality factors or past experiences that make it more likely to manifest in some rather than others, such as narcissism or high intelligence.'
Pistorius is hugged by a supporter on his arrival for Tuesday's trial
Cross-examination: Prosecutor Gerrie Nel questions psychiatrist Meryl Vorster at the Pistorius trial
In
asking for another professional evaluation of Pistorius' mental state,
Nel appeared to be trying to ward off any attempt by the defense to say
Pistorius should be treated favorably by the court because of a mental
condition linked to his disability.
Pistorius'
chief lawyer, Barry Roux, said at the start of defense-led testimony
that the double amputee's vulnerability and disability was at the center
of his case of a mistaken killing.
He
said Pistorius should not be sent for 30 days of psychiatric evaluation
and that he wanted to call another witness to continue testimony.
The
psychiatrist, Vorster, met Pistorius this month, prompting the
prosecutor to question whether the timing of her late entry to the
stable of defense witnesses signified a change in tactics by the
defense, which has said Pistorius fired out of fear that he was about to
be attacked.
Pause in the trial: Pistorius leaves the court after Judge Thokozile Masipa adjourned the days proceedings early
Relatives: June Steenkamp, mother of Reeva Steenkamp (centre), glances at Oscar Pistorius during his trial on Tuesday
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