Mental Health and the Legal Profession
Workplace dissatisfaction is at an all-time high among lawyers.
Research shows law to be the occupation most susceptible to clinical depression. (Johns Hopkins University; 1990) Legal professionals are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with depression than the general population.
Substance abuse among lawyers is rampant. While 10% of the general adult population is alcohol-dependant, among lawyers practicing from 2-20 years, the number jumps to 18%. For those practicing more than 20 years the number is 25%. Many of these individuals are both depressed and chemically dependant.
The word depression conjures up many stereotypes and prejudices. As a clinical diagnosis it can mean many things and encompass a range of symptoms, behaviours and etiologies. There are even more ways to deal with it.
The following story is typical of someone suffering from depression. continued...