Opinion ID: 2102736
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Ms. Gary's Psychiatric History

Text: The evidence showed that there were several stressors in Ms. Gary's life which antedated the June 1992 incidents and formed the basis of her pre-existing psychiatric condition. Ms. Gary testified that she had been the victim of sexual harassment on the job in February 1990, and that she and her husband began having marital difficulties soon thereafter. The problems with her husband culminated in her filing an assault charge against him because he had allegedly threatened her life. [4] Ms. Gary also stated that she had suffered from a bleeding ulcer since 1991 and was regularly taking medication for it. Dr. James Ryan treated Ms. Gary from March 1990 to July 1992, initially in response to her alleged sexual harassment by a WMATA supervisor. When Ms. Gary first went to Dr. Ryan, she was in a very disturbed state, very restless, very anxious, [and] pacing around the office. After this visit, Dr. Ryan initially diagnosed her as suffering from an incipient stress disorder and a high anxiety disorder. He advised her to stay away from work because any contact with work at that time would arouse more rage. He also prescribed a tranquilizer (Valium) for her, to be taken three times a day. Dr. Ryan testified that in April 1990 Ms. Gary experienced a break with reality that caused her to ride a bus to the end of the line and check into a motel there. While she was at the motel, a fire broke out in Ms. Gary's room, apparently as a result of her smoking in bed. She was taken to the Washington Hospital Center, where she slipped ... into a state of depression and had to remain for almost a month, being treated with anti-depressant medication. [5] In July 1992 Ms. Gary was taken to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, after police found her trying to jump off a bridge. Upon her admission to the hospital, Ms. Gary began treatment with Dr. Juan Saavedra. Dr. Saavedra diagnosed Ms. Gary as suffering from major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, initially triggered when she was sexually harassed at work in 1989. The doctor based his diagnosis on Ms. Gary's suicide ideation, suicide attempts, inability to work, insomnia, lack of concentration, memory deficit, and a very high level of anxiety . . . . He testified that Ms. Gary had been treated ... with anti-depressant medication for some time.