Those who suffer from clinical depression when practicing law might be labeled "The Unforgiven."
Even when treated effectively there can be "tells" that the lawyer is predisposed to some kind of depression.
That's not unique to law, though. In my corporate career in executive communications I had kept my history of clinical depression confidential. Given that I was in a "creative function," I got away with that. Creatives are allowed fluctuations in mood. Had I stayed at Harvard Law School beyond the 1L year, I might not have been so successful at concealing my condition when practicing law.
As Abovethelaw reports, one-time lawyer at Sidley Austin Kent Halkett seems to have wound up among The Unforgiven. There and at another prestigious law firm, the "tells" seemed to do him in. There were negative impacts on his career.
Yes, Sidley Austin was also where Gabe MacConaill, who committed suicide, had been a partner. When in extreme emotional distress MacConaill didn't seek treatment because he sized this up: Data about receiving treatment could have finished his career.
Yet, the statistics about clinical depression specifically and mental illness in general in legal sector are well-known. In addition, what more experts and victims are acknowledging is this: Clinical depression is a chronic disease. It can return again and again, after years of being free of the symptoms.
Of course, there have been initiatives in the legal sector to address that reality. But, given the brutal individualism of capitalism, those who find themselves with some form of psychiatric challenge are primarily on their own. Their first instinct, before deciding to get help, probably is to assess how much damage this development could have on their careers.
There are, of course, DIY approaches to dealing with clinical depression. Those bypass the still-stigma of having been treated by a professional. The DIY remedies include over-the-counter medications, aerobic activities, meditation, prayer and "changing the channel" in one's head. Regarding the latter, we tend to be our thoughts.
Also, depressives like myself have experimented with more what be considered radical solutions. Recently, after a depressive episode in the midwest, I tried out relocating to a part of the nation which seemed less of a closed system and the weather was milder.
For now, that has panned out. No surprise, I am attracting a better-quality client. My coaching blog has been syndicated. "At my age," when making new friends is difficult, I have made several. And, I have been able to get on the other side of my dog's death.
Increasingly, I have become disenchanted with the medical establishment and its perspectives on clinical depression. Most of those on the front lines lack deep-listening patience. Also, there seems to be a lack of transparency.
What has reduced much of the pain I have experienced on and off since age 11 has been experimentation. However, since this disease is also unpredictable, I will not rule out seeking professional help in the future. In 2003, I got amazing results from consulting for several months with West Hartford, Connecticut cognitive therapist Amy Karnilowicz.
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