The evidence
What the Research Shows
From the largest study of lawyer wellbeing ever published: 39,036 lawyers in 28 jurisdictions.
Out-of-character angerPerfectionism as avoidanceMore errors, weaker workSudden practice changesPulling away from othersA rigid, inflexible approachAvoiding trauma casesBlaming clients, colleaguesNightmares about casesNumbness at homeIntrusive images from evidenceLoss of meaning in the workHypervigilance, a jumpy startleDrinking or overwork as escapeRacing thoughtsDoubting your sense of justiceAbove the surface
What colleagues see
- Out-of-character anger
- Perfectionism as avoidance
- More errors, weaker work
- Sudden practice changes
- Pulling away from others
- A rigid, inflexible approach
- Avoiding trauma cases
- Blaming clients, colleagues
Below the surface
What they don't
- Nightmares about cases
- Numbness at home
- Intrusive images from evidence
- Loss of meaning in the work
- Hypervigilance, a jumpy startle
- Drinking or overwork as escape
- Racing thoughts
- Doubting your sense of justice
Most of the weight sits where nobody can see it.
Warning signs to notice, not a diagnosis.
