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Psychologist Testifies That Amber Heard Has PTSD From Intimate Partner Violence By Johnny Depp

Detailing Heard's experiences with Depp as an abuser, Dr. Dawn Hughes shared, that Heard reported several acts of physical violence

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Amber Heard arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand on July 28, 2020, in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

A psychologist took the stand during the Johnny Depp - Amber Heard defamation trial to testify that the 36-year-old is suffering from PTSD. This diagnosis comes from Dr. Dawn Hughes less than a week after Dr. Shannon Curry had stated in court that Heard does not display any signs of PTSD. She had in turn diagnosed the Aquaman actress with two psychiatric diagnoses – borderline personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder. Curry had noted that it was typical of borderline personalities to be “assaultive as partners. They’ll make threats using the legal system, threaten to file for a restraining order, claim abuse.”



 

Now, a contradictory statement is being made in court by the clinical and forensic psychologist called to the stand by Heard's legal representatives as a rebuttal. As per PEOPLE, Hughes shared her professional findings after she had assessed Heard's case files and met with the actress four times in person and via Zoom, for a total of about 29 hours. She also interviewed some of Heard's treating physicians and her late mom, Paige. Hughes concluded that Heard does have PTSD rooted in "the intimate partner violence by Mr. Depp" which four tests backed as well. She added, "That's what was pushing the symptoms." 



 

Detailing Heard's experiences with Depp as an abuser, Hughes shared, that Heard reported several acts of physical violence. This included him pushing her, shoving her, slapping her, choking her, and kicking her. as well as bruising, cuts, and vaginal pain from sexual assaults. "She never felt safe to be an actress in these films or productions because she would have to come home and then endure his anger at her for doing something or not doing something," Hughes stated in court. "These weren't in loving moments. These were angry moments. Moments of dominance, moments of him trying to get control over her."



 

Hughes has disagreed with Curry's diagnosis of the two personality disorders. “What the research talks about very clearly is you have to examine the context,” Hughes said. “You have to examine the differential of power and control — and coercive control — in the relationship to make a full determination.” She also noted how Heard was a victim of parental abuse that showed itself in the relationship. “She also believed she could fix him, just like she tried to fix her father,” Hughes stated. “She truly believed she could fix Mr. Depp and rid him of his substance abuse problems, but that did not work.”

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 14: Actor Johnny Depp (L) and Actress Amber Heard attend the 'Black Mass' premiere during the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival at The Elgin on September 14, 2015, in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Curry was hired by Depp's legal team to assess Heard and Hughes was hired by Heard's team. Curry was also present in the courtroom during Hughes' testimony. "Just because somebody doesn't have PTSD doesn't mean that they weren't harmed psychologically by whatever is being alleged," Curry said, "in this case, Ms. Heard is alleging that she was psychologically harmed and that she suffered PTSD because of abuse that she alleges occurred by Mr. Depp." One security guard has testified that he saw Heard punch Depp. Two of Depp's bodyguards have revealed that the couple shared a violent and toxic relationship.