Mental Health Problems
Millions of Americans suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems and those in the profession of law are no exception. In fact, mental health problems impact members of the legal profession at alarming rates.
Lawyers work more hours than almost any other profession. They report higher levels of stress and often report stress associated with success. Since addiction is often a disease of unmanaged stress, there is a strong link between mental health problems and addictive use of alcohol or drugs. Many legal professionals find their careers and families slipping away as they struggle to manage mental health problems and/or addiction.
Stress
Everyone understands stress but it is difficult to define because it means different things to different people. Each of us responds to stress in a different way – so what is stressful for one may not be stressful for another.
Anxiety and Panic Disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, is characterized by persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry about everyday things. This worry occurs on more days than not for at least six months. People with GAD feel that worrying is beyond their control and they are powerless to stop it. When there is no reason for concern, people with GAD often expect the worst. Unrelenting worry is often about health, family, money, or work, and it can interfere with all aspects of a person’s life.
Depression
Many people think of depression as feelings of sadness or grief. While sadness is a symptom of depression, most depression also involves self-defeating thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that limit our capacity for joy, impair our ability to be
responsible, and isolate us from others.
Bipolar Disorder
Mood changes are a normal part of life, but the highs and lows of bipolar disorder are not normal. The moods of a person with bipolar disorder, which has also been called manic depression, swing from period of intense elation to periods of intense sadness. This disruptive illness impacts every phase of a person’s life.
Dementia
Dementia, a progressive brain dysfunction, leads to a gradually increasing restriction of daily activities. The most well-known type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia not only affects patients, but also those surrounding them, as most patients require care in the long-term.
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