Psychologist Testifies That Amber Heard Was Assaulted By Johnny Depp, Suffered PTSD

in contrast with an assessment that a psychologist hired by Johnny Depp gave in court last week, the psychologist Dawn Hughes said in court on Tuesday that Amber Heard did suffer from a post-traumatic stress disorder and described several instances of sexual abuse Heard told Hughes that Depp allegedly committed.

The psychologist hired by Depp’s lawyers, Dr. Shannon Curry, claimed that Heard was faking her symptoms of PTSD and said she showed signs of borderline personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder. Hughes denied these claims and said that she diagnosed Heard with PTSD caused by “intimate partner violence by Mr. Depp.”

Hughes added that she approaches tests with a “healthy dose of skepticism,” and only confirmed the diagnosis after it was backed up by four tests. She also noted that she met with the actress for a combined total time of 29 hours, and also interviewed some of her past physicians along with her late mother.

The psychologist said Depp was frequently jealous and became increasingly controlling of Heard, which is what most often led to him losing control and becoming violent with her. She said he accused her of affairs with fellow actors and mentioned a time that Depp allegedly digitally penetrated Heard in retaliation for thinking a woman was hitting on her. She also mentioned Depp’s own admissions and apologies in texts to Heard and other friends

Depp’s side is attempting to paint Heard as more of an abuser than him. On that front, Huges said Heard admitted to shoving Depp and insulting him, but she argued Heard presented less of a threat to him due to Depp being larger and more physically imposing. “That’s just physics; that’s just proportional force,” Hughes said.

Depp and his legal team rested their case in his Virginia defamation lawsuit on Tuesday. He is seeking $50 million in monetary damages he claims he sustained after Heard published a Washington Post op-ed where she spoke about suffering abuse and domestic violence. Heard’s attorneys filed a motion to have the lawsuit dismissed yesterday, but it was struck down by Fairfax County Circuit Judge Penney Azcarate. Heard is expected to take the stand after Hughes is cross-examined sometime later today,