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w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m F e b r u A r y 2 0 1 5 31 post-traumatic stress disorder. Many experts feel the judiciary is further ahead than law societies and the private bar. The National Judicial Institute, for example, has conducted sessions in some of its programs geared to exploring the chal- lenges judges face after daily exposure to traumatic events and materials in their courtrooms, and is providing some strat- egies for dealing with the effects these events and materials may cause. It is difficult to assess the prevalence of vicarious trauma in the legal profes- sion and whether it is increasing. A study published by Jaffe and his colleagues in 2003 investigated symptoms of vicarious trauma, coping strategies, and prevention suggestions in 105 judges who completed a survey. The majority of judges (63 per cent) reported one or more short- or long-term symptoms they identified as a work-relat- ed vicarious trauma experience. Female judges reported more symptoms, as did judges with seven or more years of expe- rience. In addition, female judges were more likely to report internalizing their difficulties, such as becoming depressed, losing their appetite, or suffering fatigue, while judges with more experience reported higher levels of externalizing or hostility symptoms including intolerance for others, anger, and frustration. A study published in the Pace Law Review, "Vicarious trauma in attorneys," assessed the presence of what the authors called secondary trauma responses and symptoms of burnout in lawyers work- ing with victims of domestic violence and criminal defendants. Compared with mental health providers and social servic- es workers, the researchers found the law- yers surveyed demonstrated significantly higher levels of vicarious trauma. This difference appeared related to the lawyers' higher caseloads and lack of supervision around trauma and its effects. Another reason legal profession- als may be at higher risk for vicari- ous trauma is related to resilience. In her presentation to the 2013 Association for Continuing Legal Education annual meeting, Kathryn Story stated that law- yers as a group are less resilient than most other professionals. In the U.S., they have the highest rate of major depressive dis- orders among professionals, higher rates of substance abuse, and suffer up to 15 times the normal rate of clinical distress (anxiety, depression, phobias). They also have higher levels of skepticism and pes- simism, are more likely to be risk aver- sive, prize independence more, and have lower levels of trust. The legal profession's vulnerability to vicarious trauma may be growing. There are increasing concerns that in a social media world, which encourages docu- menting every detail of a person's life, the images, incidents, and issues facing lawyers and judges are getting disturb- ingly more graphic. In the courtroom, in the office, in trial preparation, it is less and less about what someone said or even what they saw. More and more, it is about detailed and visual forensic evidence, crime scene photos, video clips, and other unthinkable images. Such secondary exposure is signifi- cant, notes Jaffe. "The more real it is, the harder it is to protect yourself." Starting a business, making a will or buying a house? Declaring bankruptcy, dealing with a personal injury, insurance claim or job loss? If you're in the midst of one of life's big events, help is as close as your smartphone, tablet or computer. Simply go to www.CanadianLawList.com to find the right lawyer for your particular legal need. www.CanadianLawList.com is Canada's most comprehensive online directory of lawyers and law firms. And it's easy to use! You can search by city, legal specialty, or name for listings and contact information. Find the legal expertise you need at www.CanadianLawList.com. g a house? nal injury, help is as Si l legal expertise? Looking for Find exactly what you need at www.CanadianLawList.com and it's available to you 24 hours a day. s available y availabl y CLLwebsite_CL_Jan_14.indd 1 13-12-03 11:07 AM

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