Why Are Lawyers More Prone to Mental Health Struggles?
Mental health issues can affect anyone at any time. They do not discriminate. They can affect a person young or old, male or female, rich or poor. Yet there are populations in this world that have been identified as more prone to mental health issues than others, and one surprising finding is that one of the groups most at risk for depression and anxiety is lawyers.
Those who work as attorneys tend to be at much higher risk of mental health issues. But why?
It is one of the highest paying careers a person can have. It is a career that is typically pursued by those that already have wealth and privilege (although not always, which we will touch on in later in this article).
It is a job that also comes with many perks. So why would lawyers be more prone to mental health issues? Let’s discuss the many reasons for this trend, below.
Who We Are – Flourish Psychology
Before we begin, let’s take a moment to introduce ourselves. We’re Flourish Psychology, a boutique private practice operating in NYC that offers both traditional and non-traditional mental health support for those in high achievement, high profile careers. Lawyers and those in the legal profession make up a significant portion of our case load, as we provide both discretion and the higher level of care that tend to benefit the mental health of those that work in the field.
If you are looking for a therapist in New York City that has experience working with those in law, please reach out to us today. You can also inquire about our exclusive mental health services, available to those that would like a more concierge care.
The Legal Profession, Anxiety, and Depression
As with most things in the mental health world, there are likely many reasons that lawyers are more prone to mental health struggles. We encourage you to reach out to us today, as often through therapy we can determine where your mind is and what issues may be affecting you most, and then create a customized treatment plan to help.
With that in mind, the likely causes of this anxiety and depression include, but are likely not limited to:
Profession with Black/White Thinking
The legal field, perhaps more than any other profession, has very few gray areas. It’s a win/lose profession, one that teaches that there is only one ideal outcome: for you to win your case. That type of right/wrong/black/white/winner/loser thinking can bleed into other areas of a person’s life, causing them to become less capable of dealing with ambiguous situations.
Perfectionism
Similarly, perfectionism is a necessity in the legal profession. You have to be perfect, because a mistake can cause you to lose your case. Whether the legal profession attracts perfectionists or creates them, there is considerable evidence that depression is more common in perfectionists.
Overworking
In theory, lawyers can set their own hours. But in practice, most lawyers work an average of 45 to 66 (!!) hours per week. That implies essentially no work/life balance and extensive amount of overworking and burnout, with the result being that many people are working themselves far more than their minds and bodies can cope with.
Limited Break from College-On
Similarly, not only are lawyers often overworked, but it starts at a much younger age. Law school itself is intense and demanding, and then many people go almost immediately from college to the workforce.
That means that being “overworked” often starts from a much younger age, implying that many people have not had an opportunity to relax and refresh their mental health.
Legal Culture
Though this differs from practice to practice, the culture of many law firms (and the field of law itself) can be quite stressful for many. It can be cutthroat, intense, and demanding. It can be very money oriented and there can be a lot of issues that happen behind the scenes that can leave people feeling stressed and anxious.
For those that grew up less privileged, or those that come from a disadvantaged community, some people find that lawyers from privileged backgrounds are less accepting. It is still considered to have a “Boy’s Club” culture which can cause stresses to people of all backgrounds.
Clients
Depending on the field of practice, a person that contacts a lawyer may be experiencing some of the worst moments of their life. It can be emotionally difficult to represent them, without much time to cope with that difficulty. Or, a lawyer may be representing “bad people” – people who are suing to hurt others, and the lawyer has to do represent them with a smile as part of their job. Both situations can be immensely challenging.
Witnessing Stressful Events
Depending on the field, some lawyers are also witnesses to traumatic events, and at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder.
Stress and Anxiety from Lack of Treatment
In addition, the issue may not be in the profession, but in the way we are able to cope when anxiety/depression occur. For example, a lawyer may develop anxiety or depression in ways unrelated to their career, but because of how busy and stressful their careers are, they are less likely to have the ways – or time – to cope with it.
The result is that they may not be more prone to developing mental health issues, but may be less able to find coping tools and strategies on their own.
Unwillingness to Seek Help
Lastly, there is another challenge that affects many lawyers: an unwillingness to seek help. There is a stigma about seeking psychological care. It’s why many of those inquiring about our exclusive and discreet mental health services are lawyers that would like to partner with someone they can see as needed, in private.
The Next Steps for Lawyers and Mental Health Care
Still, despite the stigma, it could easily be argued that mental healthcare isn’t just important: it should be a priority. Stress, anxiety, and depression cloud thinking, making it harder to win cases. You, also, deserve to feel your best, with fulfilling relationships and the knowledge that comes from feeling confident in yourself.
No lawyer should have to struggle simply because of the profession they’ve chosen. As therapists for lawyers and others in high profile positions, we believe that you should be able to receive the treatment you need, so that you can function and perform in your professional AND personal life.
