There are high rates of depression and anxiety within the legal profession. Here are some statistics surrounding those claims and tips on surviving these feelings and leading a more positive and happy life.

1. LAWYERS SUFFER FROM
DEPRESSION AT
OF THE GENERAL
POPULATION.
twice the rate
the
lawyer
happy
An estimated
suffer from depression by
the time they graduate.
40%
happy WORK.LAWYERING JUST ISN’T
7 10IN
lawyers responding to a California
Lawyers magazine poll said they
would change careers if
the opportunity arose.
THERE ARE
HIGH RATES OF
WITHIN THE
LEGAL
PROFESSION.
depression
& anxiety
Lawyers rank
fourth among
professions
with highest
suicide rates.
4th
IN THE PROFESSION.
There is pessimism
An ABA Young Lawyers
Division survey indicated that
41% of female
attorneys were
unhappy with
their jobs.
240,000
OUT OF THE 1.2 MILLION LAWYERS
IN THIS COUNTRY
lawyers are depressed.
Break the
Bonds of Depression
Remember that you can survive depression. You can come out the
other side, succeed and grow. Leave negative things behind and take
hold onto some positive ones.
spirituality
PRACTICE MINDFULNESS AND
POSITIVE, PEACEFUL MEDITATION
It can ease
your stress.
Get help.
Consult a therapist, consider medication or
call a hotline (National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or National
Helpline for Lawyers 1-866-LAW-LAPS).
LET GO OF
past
wounds.
EDUCATE YOURSELF
about stress,
anxiety & depression
BE BETTER
organized.
colleagues around you.
Avoid negative
exercise
that enhance feelings of optimism
and satisfaction.
Your body produces
endorphins which are
natural mood boosters
CHANGE THE
nature and
variety of your
legal work.
between your personal
and professional life.
Find balance
Stick with it!
Did you know lawyers who have been practicing for a decade or
more tend to be happier than those with less experience?
Find ways to make the practice of law more enjoyable for you and then
stick with it. It’ll pay off in the long run!
SOURCES:
http://joshblackman.com/blog/2014/01/20/lawyers-rank-fourth-among-professions-with-highest-suicide-rates/
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/therapy-matters/201105/the-depressed-lawyer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSKpA7c9ETs | http://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance.html
http://www.lawyerswithdepression.com/articles/10-ways-lawyers-lawyers-deal-depression/
http://www.lawyerswithdepression.com/articles/7-things-lawyers-can-break-bonds-depression/
http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/voices-of-experience/lawyer-breaks-silence-about-depression-among-lawyers/