Due to physical and sexual abuse, Amber Heard suffered post traumatic stress disorder

A psychologist has told jurours that actress  Amber Heard suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to physical and sexual abuse at the hands of former husband and Hollywood star Johnny Depp.

Dawn Hughes testified on Tuesday 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”, reports `Variety`.

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 defence in a $50 million defamation trial.

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.

“When Mr. Depp was drunk or high, 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.