Lawyer burnout: a new epidemic?

Hannah Beko examines burnout in the legal profession, how to recognise the early signs and what to do if you think yourself or a colleague might be at risk

Those working in the legal profession will be familiar with the pressures and demands of the job. Historically the number of hours worked, how many evenings and weekends are sacrificed, how often our families wait while we finish just one more email, have been somewhat of a badge of honour.

“It is important for lawyers to realise when these pressures transition from motivating forces getting us out of bed in the morning and signalling we are enthusiastic about our careers, and instead start to have a negative impact on our health, relationships and work effectiveness” 

For periods of time this might feel perfectly acceptable, even desirable, as we strive to be needed, useful and make a difference in our work.

It is important for lawyers to realise when these pressures transition from motivating forces getting us out of bed in the morning and signalling we are enthusiastic about our careers, and instead start to have a negative impact on our health, relationships and work effectiveness.

By taking proactive steps to avoid stress levels rising too far, perhaps even becoming a chronic and persistent state, we can allow our nervous system to down regulate to feeling calm again.

Stress levels leading to burnout are increasingly prevalent, manifesting in various physical, emotional, and mental symptoms. This can result in lawyers deciding to step back from their careers, taking ill-health absence or, in some cases, leaving the profession altogether.

Here we explore the signs of burnout to be on the look-out for in ourselves and our colleagues.

What is burnout?

Burnout is not officially classified as a medical condition, but the World Health Organisation describes it as an occupational phenomenon characterised by:

• Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
• Increased mental distance from one’s job or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and
• Reduced professional efficacy.

Interestingly, the term ‘burnout’ was first used by American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger in 1974, who observed it in himself and his volunteer staff at a drug rehabilitation centre. It may seem strange that the legal profession suffers so widely from a syndrome identified in a drug rehabilitation setting, but many traits prevalent in the legal profession – such as people-pleasing tendencies, going the extra mile, always doing our best, not leaving work behind at the end of the day, and difficulty switching off – mirror those observed in Freudenberger’s rehabilitation volunteers.

Signs of burnout

Recognising the signs of burnout is crucial. Here are some key indicators to look out for, particularly if they persist over a long period (for example for more than a month or two):

• Sleep disturbances: Waking in the middle of the night, overthinking things, running through cases or looking for mistakes is common. This lack of sleep increases stress levels and reduces the ability to cope day-to-day.
• Neglecting relationships: Work demands and/or a lack of energy and enthusiasm can lead to neglecting hobbies or relationships, furthering feelings of potential failure, letting people down and isolation. This often results in not reaching out for support. Irritability, impatience or frustration with clients, colleagues and even friends and family can strain relationships that are ordinarily a source of support.
• Decreased job satisfaction: A common sign is feeling a disconnect with work, a decrease in job satisfaction or fulfilment compared to when we started. Feeling disillusioned or questioning your career choice can be symptomatic of burnout. This may explain why many legal professionals leave their careers when, with the right support, they might have stayed.

Questions to consider

If you're worried about yourself or someone you work with, ask the following questions:

• Do you often feel emotionally drained and exhausted at the end of the working day?
• Do you find it hard to disconnect and frequently think about work during evenings, weekends or holidays?
• Do you often feel overwhelmed by your workload and various responsibilities?
• Do you frequently experience difficulty concentrating or making decisions?
• Do you often feel irritable, impatient or frustrated with clients, colleagues, or others?
• Have you noticed a decreased sense of satisfaction or fulfilment in your work compared to when you started?

Steps to address burnout

The three key steps to addressing burnout are:

• Switching off: This can be difficult and feels counterintuitive when we’re busy and overwhelmed. Sometimes it takes someone else to suggest this might be necessary. Consider what you can do to enable more time away from emails and the phone. Create boundaries between work and home by deciding when you will disconnect from work mode and try not to check emails or your phone outside those times.
• Seek support: Seek support from colleagues or peer networks. Sharing experiences helps us feel less alone and others can often make useful suggestions.
• Relaxation techniques: Mindfulness and meditation can be effective in reducing stress levels. Regular practice can reverse the impact of stress on the brain and help with symptoms.

Recognising the signs in both ourselves and those we work alongside is key to addressing lawyer burnout in the future. The good news is that by taking proactive steps, the feelings can be reversed, and a fulfilling and healthy career is absolutely possible.

Lawyer, coach, trainer and author Hannah Beko will be speaking on managing mental health, boundaries and burnout at the CILEX annual conference on 7 November in Birmingham.