Lawyers, depression, and Charlie Brown

I’ve written here and elsewhere that lawyers are more prone to depression than members of any other depression. But a new study suggests otherwise. According to this report by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the legal depression ranks 11th in incidence of major depressive episode.

Bob Ambrogi, who gets the hat tip for this one, surmises that the difference between this study and prior studies may be due to the criteria. Says Bob, “This study focused on occurrences of major depressive episodes, not milder symptoms, which may account for its divergent findings concerning lawyers.”

Of course, the important thing is not where lawyers generally rank on the scale of depression proneness. Depression happens to persons, not to professions. Whether or not you’re in the legal profession, the important thing is to understand the disease and to get help if you see it happening to yourself.

Speaking of depression, have you noticed some of the recent Peanuts Classic comic strips? The recent reruns are from 1960, when Charlie Brown was wrestling with depression. Forty-seven years later, these strips are still wickedly funny, which proves the genius of Charles Schulz.

Comments

[pat Thompson]

Educators rank 6th, according to this site...... not surprised.

[remedies herbs depression]

I did notice Charlie Brown's depression on occassion. However they never actually spelled it out.