New documents shed light on Sgt.Bowe Bergdahl's mental health at the time he went AWOL


New documents made public Wednesday, show U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl had a psychiatric disorder when he left his post in Afghanistan.

An Army Sanity Board Evaluation found Bergdahl suffered from schizotypal personality disorder when he left the post in 2009. Those who have the disorder are often labeled as odd or eccentric and have few close relationships.

Bergdahl was held for five years by the Taliban before being released in May 2014 in a controversial prisoner swap that involved Guantanamo Bay detainees.

He now faces charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. Bergdahl's lawyer says he hopes releasing the documents will help tamp down some of the negative press his client has received, including recent comments made by presidential candidate Donald Trump.

"The more Americans know about this case, the better," attorney Eugene Fidell said in an email to the Associated Press.

Bergdahl has said he left his post to hopefully draw attention to what he perceived as bad decisions being made by his commanding officers.