In the legal profession, many of us know loneliness well. Long hours and the attendant social isolation can have a profound effect on mental health on a number of different fronts. Feelings of social isolation are an issue common to law students and lawyers, especially in the solo practitioner and small-firm environment. Social isolation can also be a trigger to problematic alcohol and drug use, clinical depression, and anxiety. This is not to say that the desire to be alone is in itself a bad thing. Alone time is often a necessary part of a balanced wellness strategy. Some people simply enjoy occasional solitude whether its meditation, yoga, etc. When solitude turns into continual isolation, however, devoid of outside stimulation and interaction, problems can occur.Read More
