This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
Murder-accused paralympian Oscar Pistorius told the High Court in Pretoria on Monday that he struggled to get to sleep.
He said he was on medication for depression after he shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria on Valentine's Day last year.
"I"m scared to sleep," said Pistorius, his voice shaking, holding a white tissue.
"For several reasons. I have terrible nightmares about things that happened that night.
"I smell blood and I wake up to be terrified. I hear a noise, I wake up in just... in a complete state of terror..."
He said he was on the anti-depressant Cipralex and sleeping medication on the advice of family and friends after he lost a significant amount of weight.
"For many weeks I didn't sleep."
Earlier, he turned to Steenkamp's family and apologised for shooting her.
"I would like to apologise and say there has been no moment since this tragedy happened that I haven't thought about your family."
He said about the night he shot her: "I was simply trying to protect Reeva.
