Opinion ID: 1156703
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: colston's psychological evidence

Text: Dr. M., a clinical psychologist, interviewed Colston and gave him a comprehensive evaluation for the purpose of giving testimony at the hearing about Colston's state of mind during the period of his misconduct. [3] The assessment included a battery of psychological tests [4] designed to identify and isolate acute from chronic problems and to detect those on the surface of the personality as distinguished from others that are found at a deeper level. These tests, Dr. M. stated, aid him in reconstructing and presenting evidence of an individual's past state of mind. [5] According to his opinion, during the period of misconduct Colston was in a severe state of depression. He had assumed excessive responsibility for work, because (a) his personality type is very conscientious and sensitive to guilt and (b) he was affected by severe trauma dealt him by his wife's altered sexual orientation. This workaholic type of behavior, which manifested itself during the period of misconduct, propelled Colston into willing acceptance of an incredibly heavy case load. The stress he endured during this five-year period was so great that he was unable to discern the real from the unreal; it also explains Colston's poor judgment and his inability to refuse accepting added responsibilities. The inability to say no, Dr. M. related, is common in this type of personality disorder. Colston's mental constraints, present at the critical time, provide, in Dr. M's view, the best explanation for his lack of recollection. In Dr. M's opinion, Colston has benefited from the psychological counseling and his prognosis is good.