Nebraska Lawyers Assistance Program - Concerns about Mental Health

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Concerns about Mental Health?

Mental Health and the Legal Profession If you suffer from a mental health disorder, you are not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 1-in-5 adults live with a mental illness. Lawyers are no exception. Mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorders and compassion fatigue, are commonly experienced by lawyers, judges and law students. In fact, a recent study found that 28% of lawyers were at high risk for depression and 19% were at high risk for anxiety. If you are concerned about your current mental health, give NLAP a call to discuss your situation.
Mental Health Treatment The most common mental health disorders, depression and anxiety, are very treatable illnesses. However, recovery usually requires professional help tailored to your specific diagnosis and treatment goals. If you are experiencing a disruption in your mental health, give NLAP a call and we can steer you through the evaluation and treatment process, including referrals to mental health providers in your community. Depression Most of us will feel depressed, sad, or down from time to time. But feeling depressed is very different than suffering from clinical depression. Clinical depression is an illness that impacts our quality of life, impairs our ability to accomplish even the simplest daily tasks and requires treatment. Research reveals that lawyers are more than three times as likely to suffer from depression than the general adult population. While the cause of these high rates of depression within the legal profession are not known, its likely that the stress of the profession, personality traits common in lawyers and the self-reliant nature of lawyers are contributing factors. The good news is that depression is treatable. Treatment recommendations depend on individual needs, but may include therapy, medication and lifestyle changes. Signs and Symptoms of Depression Feelings of sadness Loss of pleasure or interest Self-dislike or self-criticism Suicidal thoughts, wishes, or behaviors Tearfulness, crying, inability to cry Loss of energy, fatigue Sleep disturbance (sleeping more, less, and fragmented sleep) Irritability Changes in appetite Use this free screening tool to check your depression symptoms. This is not a substitute for a diagnosis, but it can provide you with information about your risk for depression. Suicide Prevention According to the Center for Disease Control, lawyers rank high on the list of professions as it relates to suicide rates and have a suicide rate six times greater than the general population. In fact, it is the third leading cause of death among lawyers, after cancer and heart disease. The high rate of untreated depression and substance use disorders in the profession contribute greatly to these statistics. The lawyer becomes caught in a spiral of hopelessness and becomes incapable of seeing other viable options. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org Anxiety According to the American Psychological Association, people with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns, feelings of tension or worried thoughts. They may avoid certain situations out of worry. They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, dizziness or a rapid heartbeat. There are different kinds of anxiety disorders, the most common of which is a generalized anxiety disorder. People with generalize anxiety disorders experience chronic, heightened worrying about everyday life. This worrying can consume hours each day, making it hard to concentrate or finish daily tasks. It may also result in headaches, muscle tension or nausea.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Feeling nervous, restless, or tense Sense of panic or danger Increased heart rate Hyperventilation Sweating Shaking Difficulty concentrating Headaches/gastrointestinal problems Use this free screening tool to check your anxiety symptoms. This is not a substitute for a diagnosis, but it can provide you with information about your risk for anxiety.
Like many other mental health conditions, anxiety disorders are very treatable. Often treatment consists of therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques can also be beneficial in managing anxiety. Give NLAP a call to confidentially discuss treatment resources to meet your specific needs. Other Mental Health Disorders While depression and anxiety are the most common mental health disorders, NLAP can help you find assessment and treatment resources for other mental health conditions, including compassion fatigue, bi-polar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and coping with past trauma. Mental Health Resources: The Lawyers Depression Project. An online support group for legal professionals (lawyers, law students and paralegals) who suffer from a variety of mental health disorders. Mental Health Resources identified by the ABA. A list of resources to learn more about a variety of mental health topics. National Alliance on Mental Health. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. Seasonal Affective Disorder. The Mayo Clinic discusses causes, symptoms and treatment for a particular type of depression that is related to changes in the seasons.