Lawyers on the Brink of Mental Disorder

Law is a high pressure, competitive profession. Long hours and time spent in front of computers in stuffy offices have a negative effect on lawyers. Part of the issue is that lawyers are in a demanding education, and an equally demanding work place.

A new study has found that more than 40% of law students suffer from “moderate or severe symptoms of depressiondefine.” According to Prof Ian Hickie, from Brain and Mind Research Institute, in New South Wales, nearly 16% lawyers who responded to the survey conducted, displayed mood disorders.

Virtually there is no age at which depression can appear. The young professionals aged between 20 to 29 years have higher rates of depressive symptoms than their elderly counterparts. Nearly one third are using drugs and alcohol to deal with psychological distress.

Attorney’s, solicitors and barristers are more vulnerable to depression because of the high tension their profession entails. Mr. Geoff Dunlevy, President of Law Society of NSW said, “For a long time, the society has received anecdotal evidence from solicitors regarding the prevalence of depression.”

Many factors play a role in the development of major depression and mood disorders. Karen Eaton in an article published in Wall Street Journal, stated that escalating billable hour quotas, ceaseless deadlines and the adversarial nature of lawyers, is the reason for the high levels of depression.

Practicing lawyer’s fear of failure in the competitive field, compromises on ethics, going along with his clients instructions even against his better judgment, low energy levels, lack of meaning in life, pessimism are some explanations for negative thought patterns.

Clare Shann, spokesperson of Beyondblue, a depression organization said, “It is a cut throat industry, where you need to be geared towards the negative.”

A lawyer during the course of his career has the prudence to understand a whole range of problems and betrayals, helping his clients in these far fetched eventualities. Unfortunately, a trait that makes you good at your profession does not always make you a happy human being.

This lucrative career needs some serious introspection. A ‘culture shift’ is in progress, with law firms realizing the responsibility to promote a ‘work-life’ balance.