How to survive your legal career

Chapter Two - Stoicism What Happened Next to the Worker Bee Lawyer?

The locum doctor who came that night said he thought I was experiencing an acute work stress episode. And recommended I go and see my local doctor which I duly did.

However a lack of awareness on her part and perhaps a closed viewpoint that a young lawyer in her 20's could not really be experiencing such debilitating symptoms led to a failure by her to adequately follow through. My doctor disregarded my initial presentation and symptoms even though these flagged that I was facing into unsustainable work pressure. She sent me home with no treatment or follow up.

Likewise I did not have the insight or nous to advocate for my own health and well-being. I will never know how my career would have progressed had I stood up for myself and my health at that juncture. But I did not. Could not.

I carried on at work. Stoically.

What Could Have happened?

Attitudes and practices have changed since the 1980's. Many workplaces have a confidential employee advisory service (EAS) available these days. This is such an important initiative because a person has the opportunity to check in confidentially with an experienced mental health professional who can support them when it counts.

If you are not sure if work stress is the cause, or if you have taken steps to control your stress but you keep on having symptoms, then you must see your health-care provider. They may also want to check for other potential causes such as a heart condition.

Also, get emergency help right away if you have chest pain, especially if you also have shortness of breath; jaw, back, shoulder or arm pain; sweating; dizziness; or nausea. These may be warning signs of a heart attack and not stress symptoms.

My Worker Bee Lawyer Message

Having the practical nous to survive your legal career is more important than any other aspiration.

You cannot continue to advise your clients if you do not care for your health first. Your body will say enough and stop you in your tracks. It happened to me. Eventually.

Dr Deb

9 June 2024

Footnotes

Hann, D (2007) Lawyers Practising Learning: Reshaping Continuing Legal Education, PhD, the University of Melbourne.https://debhann.academia.edu/