Fighting Depression: 5 Questions For Lawyers

A study by Johns Hopkins University revealed that out of 100 profession fields, attorneys lead the nation with the highest incidence of depression.

Depression doesn’t just go away, it gets worse over time.  I’ve found that most high-powered attorneys suffering from depression conceal or ignore it by burying themselves into a workhorse cycle and believing that eventually it will go away. Still others try to drink or drug it away. This affliction will disrupt every area of your life. Medication can help but does not address the underlying reasons for it.

One attorney told me, ”Pamela, I don’t think I have ever truly experienced the peace or contentment.”

The American Psychological Association found that lawyers are almost four times more likely to suffer from depression than non-lawyers. Bar Associations are beginning to address this epidemic. States such as California, Montana, Iowa, Mississippi, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina have added a “mental health” component to mandatory legal continuing education.

I have worked with over 500 lawyers during the past decade, and during this time I’ve found that well over half of them are operating in a depressed state, if not clinically depressed.

If you want to reach the next stage of your career, you’ll need to beat depression first.

Are you depressed? Here are five questions to ask yourself.

1. Do you feel constant stress or anxiety?
2. When you think about work or going into the office do you feel unease, nervousness, or foreboding?
3. Do you feel hopeless in your professional career or family life?
4. Do you suffer from continued headaches, migraines?
5. Are you always distrustful or skeptical?

If you answered yes, to five or more of the above questions, then read on. Full questionnaire below.

You Are Not Alone

For many attorneys, the first hurdle is also the most difficult. One must admit it. I have probably heard it all:

“But Pamela, I have a reputation to protect. I can’t admit to any weaknesses. I am a type A perfectionist. I am a high-profile lawyer and extremely successful. How can I be depressed?”

“My drinking doesn’t affect my work. Nobody knows about it. It’s how I relax.”

Don’t Ignore Your Depression It Won’t Go Away

I received a call a lawyer I’ll call Ned. He lived in a luxury condominium where I had once attended a party. It was indeed the residential home for the rich and famous. Nevertheless, one of my attorney clients referred him to me. Ned introduced himself to me and said, “I hope you can help me. My friend spoke highly of you. I have gone to therapists, psychiatrist; I’m taking tranquilizers, but I cannot stop myself from wanting to kill myself each night. Every night it is like I am fighting a rhinoceros who wants to do me in.”

I warned Ned that the work I do can be quite jolting emotionally, and I wasn’t sure if I could help him due to his condition. He said to me, “Lady you can’t get more emotionally jolted than wanting to kill yourself. Please see me!” I finally agreed.

It took us no time to get to the crux of Ned’s problem. After 90 days, Ned had his life back, his enthusiasm and later he referred three of his friends to me as clients. Had Ned not continued to seek help for his depression, even if it were non-traditional, it could have resulted in disaster for him and his family.

Take Your Mental Health Seriously

Just because you may look normal, healthy and vigorous on the outside, does not mean you don’t suffer from this serious illness. Science admits that mental disorders can be as painful and as detrimental to patients as physical ailments.

You can BEAT depression. I declare this from not only a professional standpoint but from personal experience.   Only you can make the first step to help yourself out of this pit of despair. You must admit to yourself if you are depressed. And you must always vigilant for the onset of any of the symptoms discussed above.

Everyone must become thoroughly honest and search her own heart. Unfortunately, some of you reading this will be so committed to your vanity that you would rather die than admit that you have a problem. Sadly, many have lost their battle with depression for this very reason.

Depression is the most common health concern and affects 10% f the general population. Each person must decide to let go of his or her pride to solve a destructive cycle that, untreated, can only get worse with time. Depression interferes with your health, your job functions, your immune system, your family and personal relationships and destroys any hope of happiness and contentment. There is an answer to depression and we will find it together as we continue this discussion.

Next week, in Part II we will discuss the factors that make attorneys most vulnerable to depression and learn how some firms are addressing this problem proactively with great results.

Additional questions to ask yourself:

• Do you feel guilty or feel useless?
• Are you lethargic and apathetic?
• Do you experience Sleeplessness or sleep too much?
• Have you lost interest recreation or sexual intimacy?
• Do you have loss of memory?
• Is it difficult to make decisions?
• Do you have frequent thoughts of suicide?
• Do engage in stressful overeating or loss of appetite?
• Are you abusing alcohol or prescription or other drugs?
• Do you find yourself in constant disagreements?
• Do you feel at a loss and don’t feel grateful about anything?
• Are you craving isolation and wanting to be left alone?
• Are you subject to outbursts?
• Do you exhibit Workaholic behaviors?

If you think you are suffering from depression, don’t suffer alone.  I am available for 45-minute complimentary strategy sessions.  My calendar:  https://www.timetrade.com/book/HTRJR

Links:

World Health Organization:

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs369/en/

Lawyers with Depression: http://www.lawyerswithdepression.com

CNN: www.cnn.com/2014/01/19/us/lawyer-suicides/

About Pamela

http://vimeo.com/126519950