My deepest sympathies. I understand completely and I failed something similar with (or so it sounds) many of the same questions. Mine pertained to spouse abuse which has never happened in my life and I've today posted here about that poly exam.

I think that some might think about the so called failed questions and what they have 'viewed' or 'experienced' second or third hand in their lives. I, for instance, have felt guilty over my divorce and embarrassed and I believe that "just" those feelings will provide variances due to what is called "the physiology of psychology." This is even deeper than ANS' sympathetic responses but goes into the hand in hand response in small portions of the neurological systems when areas of memory (excitement, shame, pain, disappointment and so many others) are prodded by a question. You are innocent of that which is being asked but (I think in my case at least) it somehow prods an old memory that you only knew about, observed or even heard about (never personally doing or involved) and the system sends a glitch out that is recorded in the physiology of the test. What happened to you is a crying shame and I understand what you meant by holding back the tears. There is no recourse to a machine besides working towards getting them all banned and discounted as viable methods of evaluation. God Bless your efforts and future!