Perfectionism in the Legal Field

Perfectionism and self- doubt has plagued members of the legal profession for years. When the pressure placed on lawyers externally to succeed is outweighed by the pressure lawyers place upon themselves, the impact on mental health can be devastating if left untreated. There is a misconception among lawyers that only people who have “hit bottom” need or ask for help. The statistics say otherwise as recent surveys indicate that the overwhelming majority of legal practitioners believe they have suffered negative mental health consequences as a result of their chosen profession. Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, addiction and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that 1 out of 3 attorneys will likely have a need for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers.