Amber Heard Suffered From PTSD Due to Johnny Depp’s Abuse, Psychologist Says

variety.com:

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterA psychologist told jurors Tuesday that Amber Heard suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder due to physical and sexual abuse at the hands of ex-husband Johnny Depp.Dawn Hughes testified that she had diagnosed Heard after examining her for 29 hours and reviewing therapy records, and that she had concluded that Depp engaged in a “high degree of violence.” Hughes recounted numerous instances of alleged sexual violence, which she said were motivated by Depp’s “obsessive jealousy” and a desire to show dominance.Hughes was the first witness called by Heard’s attorneys, as they began their defense in a $50 million defamation trial in Fairfax, Va.

They are seeking to counter the image presented by Depp’s lawyers, who portrayed Heard as the abuser in their relationship, and maintained that Depp would retreat whenever she instigated fights. “He threw her on bed, ripped off her nightgown, and tried to have sex with her,” Hughes testified.Hughes also referenced incidents in which Depp allegedly penetrated Heard with his fingers and, on one occasion, with a bottle.

She said that Depp showed particular jealousy regarding James Franco, with whom he believed Heard was having a relationship.“These incidents often happened in a drug-fueled rage,” she said.Heard is expected to give a fuller account of the alleged abuse when she takes the witness stand on Wednesday.Hughes was called to rebut the testimony of Shannon Curry, a psychologist called by Depp’s team last week, who told the jury that Heard suffered from borderline personality disorder.