Lawyers often face unique challenges related to their mental health, ranging from mild stress and anxiety to more severe mental illnesses that require professional intervention.
You have probably heard many of these already, and I'm sure you have been reminded of what "to do" to take care of yourself. So who is holding you accountable?
Here are the top 14 mental health issues lawyers face:
Stress and burnout
Anxiety and depression
Perfectionism
Work-life balance issues
Imposter syndrome
Financial insecurity
Relationship difficulties
Lack of professional satisfaction
Cognitive overload and fatigue
Difficulty adapting to change
Poor communication skills
Social isolation
Substance abuse and addiction difficulties
Suicidal ideation
Look, we all know a lot of remedies, solutions, and answers for what we should or shouldn't be doing. Blah, blah, blah. Quit "shoulding" all over yourself. At some point, though, we will have taken in too much information and stimuli and we won't be open to hearing another verdict of what "should" be done. Here's my challenge to you if either of these sounds like you...
If we aren't thinking about stopping or slowing down because we are always on the go, we need someone else to remind us that we need to take a break. If you are committed to handling your internal state of being the best that you can, and you have an accountability partner to hold you to that standard of commitment, it might help keep you from losing your sh*t and being held in contempt inside yourself.
See if you can relate to any of these:
1. Stress and burnout
Lawyers face a variety of stressors, from tight deadlines, high client expectations, long hours, and high caseloads. This can lead to burn-out, where lawyers feel emotionally exhausted and are unable to perform their work effectively. Burn-out can often lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and depression. Other symptoms may include difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, sleep disturbances, and decreased job performance.
2. Anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression are common mental health issues for lawyers, particularly due to the high-pressure nature of their profession. Anxiety can manifest itself as fear, panic, and a general sense of unease (if left unaddressed for too long, it can become a disease). Typically anxiety stems from being mainly focused on the future. Depression, on the other hand, is characterized by sadness and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed. Lawyers often experience both anxiety and depression as a result of long hours, heavy workloads, conflicting client expectations, and legal technicalities. Depression is often a manifestation of being focused on the past. It can be difficult for lawyers to find a balance between work and life responsibilities when coping with these conditions. In such cases, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional to manage the symptoms and to begin feeling better again (or for the first time).
I know, there is a stigma around it. I get it. However, you get to choose which stigma you want to fight for...the stigma associated with your life falling apart under chronic stress or the stigma of seeking help because you need a hand now and again. If other attorney's are criticizing you for seeking guidance for your mental well-being, maybe they're opinions aren't in your best interest.
3. Perfectionism
Perfectionism is a central issue for many lawyers, as they strive to achieve perfection in their work product. Such perfectionism can lead to unrealistic expectations, unhealthy work habits, and a tendency to criticize one's work (and not in the most constructive way). The stress and pressure of constantly striving for perfect results can sometimes lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and burnout. Lawyers need to be mindful of their perfectionism tendencies and recognize when it starts impeding their ability to perform effectively. To manage such issues, it can be helpful for lawyers to take breaks from their work and practice self-care activities such as meditation or spending time with friends or family (it's a reminder to make choices that align with you to allow a break from the chronic environment that is work). Moreover, there is self-development work that can be done; that thought work is very important. Thinking well is a skill that can be learned. Part of thinking well is the awareness of the chronic stress to perform at high levels, and then creating the space between you and the high-level standards intentionally so that you can manage your stress threshold.
4. Work-life balance issues
Lawyers often struggle to keep a healthy work-life balance due to the nature of their profession. Long hours and high-pressure workloads can make it difficult to focus on anything besides work, which may lead to burnout, relationship struggles, exhaustion, and health problems (mental included). Lawyers need to recognize when they are becoming overwhelmed and take steps to restore areas of balance in their lives. Of course, it might not be possible all of the time; however, creating space for relaxation can be considered a much-needed recess from thought litigation. This could include delegating certain responsibilities, establishing clear boundaries between professional and personal life, taking breaks away from the office, or engaging in self-care activities like physical exercise or hobbies (what hobbies do you have?). Taking control of one's work-life balance is essential for lawyers to avoid further stress and potential health risks associated with such an imbalance.
5. Imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome is a common feeling experienced among many lawyers, wherein they doubt their abilities and feel as though they are not good enough or do not deserve success. Consider it a sense of inadequacy; we all appear to have it. Such feelings commonly lead to an internal struggle of self-doubt and pressure to always be "perfect". Even if it isn't perfection, the feeling may arise from being a female or otherwise considered inferior in the field. You may feel like you have to assert yourself in a certain way within an environment that is predominantly recognized as belonging to another gender. However you identify to this, imposter syndrome can lead to anxiety, procrastination, overworking, low self-esteem, and in extreme cases, depression. Lawyers should challenge themselves to recognize such thoughts as irrational and instead focus on their achievements and progress. By doing so, they can boost their confidence and gain assurance with each success. By the way, I heard a few ways to increase confidence...one is to get or keep testimonials from clients who have benefited from your help. Be sure to review them regularly so that it refills your tank for why you do what you do. Another way I have heard confidence reframed is that it comes from your internal self-talk. Whatever mental chatter you are allowing in your mind, if it's not supporting you, get rid of it. You can ask yourself, is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary to be thinking about it right now? Then choose another thought that is. Change the station in your mind.
6. Financial insecurity
Financial insecurity is common among lawyers and can arise from a variety of factors. With increasing tuition fees, loan repayment obligations, and the high cost of living associated with cities where law jobs are plentiful, many lawyers struggle to make ends meet. The high-stakes nature of the profession and the unstable market conditions can also lead to financial insecurity. Lawyers must therefore plan and budget their resources wisely to avoid any surprises. Consider whom you may know who could offer you professional advice when necessary to ensure that your finances are secure for the future.
This is an interesting one. I was talking to a lawyer not that long ago and she mentioned how she priced her services. What happens when clients are shopping around for an attorney and you are seen as "overpriced"? You may not get the work...which means, no income. So do you give in to lower fees just to make ends meet? Does that mean that you devalue your work? How does that play into your worth?
7. Relationship difficulties
Relationship difficulties are not uncommon among lawyers either. And if I'm honest, a lot of people experience some sort of relationship challenge at some point. However, the long hours and intense pressure of the legal profession can often take a toll on relationships with loved ones. Many lawyers struggle to find a balance between their professional and personal lives, as you have already read, resulting in tension within their families and a loss of what one probably wishes for most—connection. Not to mention, the high expectations to succeed coupled with imposter syndrome can lead lawyers to be overly critical of themselves and difficult to connect with from the outside too. So, what self-care practices are you asking for accountability for? How can you be supported in your time spent cultivating relationships to make sure that they remain emotionally healthy and connected with those who matter most in their lives?
8. Lack of professional satisfaction
Professional satisfaction is a common challenge among lawyers. With the long hours and high expectations of the profession, many lawyers find themselves feeling overwhelmed and unfulfilled. They may also struggle to make their workload more manageable due to conflicts in their practices or increased caseloads -- the art of saying "no" can be helpful here. In addition to all of this, many have become disillusioned with the slow pace of justice or disheartened by too frequent losses in courtrooms. All these things further contribute to feelings of dissatisfaction and frustration. To combat all this, what would you take away from time spent focusing on personal and professional development, and building relationships with co-professionals that can help you stay inspired in your work?
9. Cognitive overload and fatigue
Cognitive overload and fatigue are common problems among lawyers. With the sheer amount of legal knowledge (headiness) that needs to be processed daily, it can be difficult for lawyers to keep up with their workloads, both physically and mentally. Plus, long hours and stressful situations in court can lead to mental exhaustion, which diminishes concentration levels and lowers overall productivity. This would be the last lawyer you would want representing you, regardless if you are the fatigued and burned-out type. To combat these problems, as with most of the rest of them, lawyers have been reminded to practice mindfulness and prioritize self-care, such as scheduling regular breaks throughout the day or taking time off when needed. So, who is holding you to that? Taking steps to manage cognitive overload can help avoid burnout and maintain a healthy mental balance while managing professional responsibilities; it's a no-brainer. I don't mean to be cynical; I've just seen it too many times. Yes, it's great that you help pay for my bills, and I appreciate it, but I'd rather have clients who come in to create amazing contributions to this world than those who come in with the weight of the world between their ears, burned out, stressed out, and falling apart. How can we be more proactive?
10. Difficulty adapting to change
Lawyers often face the challenge of adapting to constant change. As laws, regulations, and procedures are constantly evolving or being revised, lawyers must stay sharp and abreast of any new developments and adjust their practices accordingly. On top of changes to the legal system itself, they must also keep up with technological advances that can affect how they practice law, which can be a source of stress and frustration. To successfully navigate these changes, lawyers must develop their flexibility while also staying focused on their goals and remaining open to learning different ways of doing things. Learning how to accept change is essential for lawyers to remain ahead in the ever-shifting legal landscape. Have you ever heard of a tree that cannot bend, breaks? That is why palm trees have a spine-like design. When hurricanes and tropical storms approach, they can adapt and bend with the direction of the wind. How can you incorporate this into your abilities as a practicing lawyer?
11. Poor communication skills
Poor communication skills can be a major obstacle for lawyers when they are trying to communicate their ideas or arguments effectively. Without strong presentation skills and the ability to explain complex legal matters in simple terms, lawyers may struggle to communicate with clients, colleagues, or judges. To improve this, lawyers must become proficient at expressing themselves succinctly and understand how to use rhetorical tools to present an argument in the most persuasive way possible. Additionally, good listening skills are crucial for understanding what other people are saying so that one can respond appropriately. By honing your communication skills, you, as a lawyer, can ensure that your voice is heard and understood with as little resistance as possible.
A lot of this is the "how" you communicate. Where does it come from? I have a client who is an attorney who told me about other attorneys in the office and how they come off in communication. He mentioned that a number of attorney's got into the profession for status. Because of that reason, there can be a lot of posturing, sizing up and looking down on others. No wonder it seems vulnerable to seek mental health assistance. How does that impact the communication in the work environment? How does that then impact you as an attorney? How is that compounding on other stressors?
12. Social isolation
Social isolation can be one of the major challenges that lawyers must face in their daily lives. Working long hours and experiencing extreme levels of stress can lead to feelings of loneliness as lawyers struggle to stay connected with friends, family, and co-workers. This type of prolonged isolation is detrimental to one's mental health and well-being. To counter this, attorneys often try to cultivate healthy relationships outside of work by engaging in activities they enjoy, such as attending social events (without alcohol if it is something one can do and needs to) or joining professional organizations. By taking time to nurture your relationships, you can foster healthy communities and support networks around you that will help make life as an attorney much more tolerable.
These last two are probably the result of not tending to the top 12. I saved them for last because they seem to be the most extreme, yet common, challenges.
13. Substance abuse and addiction difficulties
Substance abuse and addiction can be serious issues for lawyers, and it seems to be a reaction to the overwhelming pressures of their work. Long hours and high levels of chronic stress can often lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive drinking, drug use, or gambling. Whether your choice is an upper (e.g., cocaine) or a downer (e.g., alcohol), it might be a reflection of what you are trying to combat. If you are using a downer, like alcohol, it may serve as an easy choice to combat the high stress and anxious energy you might be feeling. So, of course, you're going to need something to take the edge off. Similarly, for the need of uppers. You may be in a down place and need a boost to get back into the swing of things. Regardless, you got there somehow. If you started taking inventory of how you might object to compounding those emotions over long lengths of time if you knew what it was doing to you. My intentions aren't to shame you with my words here. If I am, I apologize. What I aim to do is bring awareness to the emotional states that influence our actions. To go a little deeper, I would even take a look at the internal dialogue that is playing inside my mind and influencing all of it too. When these behaviors begin to interfere with one's ability to perform their job responsibilities, they can put one at risk of being disbarred or sued. What would happen if one created and sought out supportive friend groups and family members who can help provide emotional support during difficult times? How does one communicate their need for support? And what are they committed to in that relationship?
14. Suicidal ideation
Suicidal ideation is a real problem for many lawyers due to the high-pressure environment in which they operate. Stressful workloads, long hours, and clients with increasingly unrealistic expectations can all contribute to feelings of despair and hopelessness. Lawyers may also feel as if they are failing at their job or that there is no way out of their current career path. To counteract these feelings, developing some sort of self-care practice might be beneficial. By taking active steps to ensure your psychological well-being as an attorney, you can avoid the serious dangers associated with suicidal ideation. Furthermore, thoughts of suicide should be normalized; many of us have had them, especially if we find ourselves down and out. That being said, if suicidal ideation isn't normalized and considered a topic of conversation, the message we are sending is that one must suffer with it alone and not talk about it. So please, bring it up. Unless you have a clear, well-thought-out plan to act on it, it should be seen as intrusive, directly reflecting your hopelessness, or simply be a challenge that you can overcome with the right help. Please don't suffer with this alone. If you need clarification before bringing it up with a clinician, therapist, doctor, or mental health coach, find out how they handle conversations about suicide. If you are not a harm to yourself or others and are not experiencing a diminishing quality of life, you should not be hospitalized for that conversation.
Thank you for being human and for trying your best. I know this can get tough. I know you can feel ashamed, and guilty, and experience bouts of emotional peaks and valleys. There are people here for you, willing to meet you right where you are.
In case you need it:
Dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
David Boyle
Monumental Coaching
Your Head Coach
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