Avoiding Depression and Anxiety
I’d spend weeks toiling over a long, hard brief.
All I’d hear back from the partner was a “Thx.”
And today, the associates who come to me for legal writing support feel at their wits end.
So here’s my premise:
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Legal writing causes depression.
Lost confidence.
Anxiety.
It’s the worst among Big Law associates.
The rates are alarming.
It isn’t surprising, actually.
I mean just think about it:
🔷 Legal writers work in silos.
—Associates often spend long hours isolated in nondescript offices, grappling with complex legal issues and voluminous case law
—> that leads to loneliness and disconnection—both well-established risk factors for depression and anxiety.
—WFH only exacerbates.
🔷 Legal writing leads to cognitive overload and stress.
—Legal writers must synthesize vast amounts of information from dense factual records and complex, often inconsistent case law.
—That causes cognitive overload that increases stress levels. Over time, the stress can become chronic—another known contributor to both depression and anxiety.
—The pressure to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines further compounds the stress, creating a cycle of anxiety that can be difficult to break.
🔷 Legal writers have no support system.
—There is no “help desk” for writer’s block, and there’s often no colleague to consult when faced with a challenging legal analysis.
—The lack of support can lead to feelings of helplessness and inadequacy—both closely linked to depression and anxiety.
—WFH only exacerbates.
🔷 Legal writers are expected to be perfect and face sure-fire critique, especially in their early years where they are doing things for the very first time.
—Associates often fear the “wall of red ink” they’ll receive when submitting their work for review.
—>This anticipation of harsh criticism can trigger anxiety and self-doubt.
—The constant pressure to produce flawless work can lead to a cycle of perfectionism and self-criticism—both strongly associated with depression and anxiety.
🔷 Legal writers get little recognition or appreciation
—Associates rarely receive positive feedback or even any acknowledgment for their writing efforts.
—This lack of recognition can lead to feelings of undervaluation and diminished self-worth, both of which are risk factors for depression.
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All the above = stuff I spend a lot of time thinking about.
Clients say to me they feel bad about themselves when they’re writing.
They have no confidence.
They’re constantly beating themselves up.
They fear the criticism they know is coming.
🗳️ What do you think of my overarching premise?
🗳️ What would you add, or what steps can we take to address this problem?
💌 Amanda
#DearLegalWriter
P.S. Partners: Let’s nix the “Thx” to start!!!