Three Reasons Why Lawyers Suffer From Burnout & How to Fight It
For most legal professionals, legal work is fulfilling. However, it can also be stressful, challenging, and at times exhausting, leaving many lawyers struggling mentally and physically as a result. In fact, according to a 2016 study by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs, approximately 21% of employed, licensed attorneys have problem with alcohol, 28% suffer from some level of depression, and around 19% have issues with anxiety.
No wonder that today lawyer burnout is a major problem. However, if you are starting to experience some of this stress or anxiety or even burnout, there are things you can do to turn it around. In the below guide, we will not only go over the top three reasons why lawyers suffer from burnout, but we will also help you understand the best things you can do to fight it.
The Top Three Causes of Lawyer Burnout
Job burnout refers to a particular type of work-related stress or physical or emotional exhaustion that also causes reduced accomplishment and a loss of personal identity.
Yet, while any profession can lead to job burnout, lawyers often face unique situations in their job that tend to cause this burnout more frequently than others. However, while there are many reasons why lawyers experience this burnout, the below three are usually some of the more common causes:
Reason 1: Long Hours
Those in the legal profession tend to work a lot of long hours. However, at a certain point, these hours can impact a person's health and ability to produce the work they want. In fact, a survey that interviewed 130 lawyers found that 91% of attorneys believe that long working hours have negatively impacted their physical and mental health, and 20% indicated that their working hours had harmed their health significantly. That is why it is no surprise that working long hours has been linked to major lawyer burnout.
Reason 2: Lack of Support
It is all too common for lawyers to want to do it all and handle every aspect of their job themselves. Yet, while many may feel this is the fastest way to get the success they want, in truth, this is the quickest way to get run down.
Lawyers need to remember there are only so many hours in a day, and when they decide to take on all the tasks it takes to run a law firm themselves, it not only prevents them from getting the break they need but also impacts the quality of their work. This, in turn, can lead to significant amounts of stress and, ultimately, burnout.
Reason 3: High Stress
Lawyers tend to deal with high-stress situations every day in an industry that is highly scrutinized. Between defending individuals, helping others solve their legal issues, and keeping abreast of changing laws, it can be a lot for one person to handle. Add in the fact that many of these attorneys are also trying to secure clients during this time and dealing with billing and client intake. It is almost expected that these tasks can all lead to burnout.
How to Avoid Lawyer Burnout
Although some of the more common tips for burnout often include getting proper rest, creating a better work-life balance, and setting boundaries, it can be hard to implement these techniques if you do not have help.
Fortunately, you no longer have to do it all alone. When you hire a team of professionals to take over your client management and back offices legal services, these experts can not only help you operate more efficiently as a law firm, but in the process, you are able to secure the help you need to take a break and lower your risk of job-related burnout.
With over 30 years of experience, Back Office Legal has been helping firms by providing them with the customer service and back office support they need to streamline their operations, increase client satisfaction, and provide a working environment that makes it easier to show up every day and handle tasks without getting overwhelmed in the process.
Fight Burnout by OUTSOURCING Your Back Office!
If you are starting to feel lawyer burnout and are looking for ways to fight it, reach out to Back Office Legal today. Let us show you how our team can support your law firm and provide you with the help you need to get back to enjoying the profession you used to love.
Contact us for a free consultation.
