LAWYERS are more likely to suffer depression than any other group of professionals in the country, reported by The Age.
They are also more prone than others to drinking and taking drugs to help ease the pain of their depression, research shows.
An obsession with billing targets, deadline pressure and inflexible working hours contributed to the problems.
The research, by mental health group beyondblue and management consultancy firm Beaton Consulting, found that 15 per cent of legal professionals experienced moderate or severe depressive symptoms, a rate 2½ times that of the general population. More than 5 per cent also admitted using non-prescription drugs and alcohol to manage.
Law Institute of Victoria chief executive Mike Brett-Young said law firms were reporting a growing attrition rate, particularly among younger lawyers.
"Because lawyers are also dealing with everyone else's problems they think they should be able to handle their own," he said.
Perhaps it is litigation lawyers are the most at risk. General property law is naturally less combative. I can understand the pressure that lawyers practising predominately in commercial, family and personal injury law must face over a period of time. As a professional it would be difficult to not get involved. I dont know what the answers are.
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