My brother, Joe, was a trial lawyer. He died of cancer at age 65 two years ago this month. I miss him terribly. And I'm thinking of him because I am thinking of the many lawyers I've worked with as clients, or known as friends or relatives, who were linked together by a common problem, the topic of today's article. 

This has been a banner year for depression.

Joe was a depressive person. And, a trial lawyer. The profession and the malady fit together perfectly. I believe my brother suffered from a form of depression called dysthymia, which is a chronic, low mood, of sadness, irritability, emptiness. There is a sense of low self esteem, feeling disconnected from others and from activities once enjoyed. But, I'll never know for sure, because he stubbornly resisted mental health care throughout his life, thinking he would cheapen himself by indulging in what he thought of as a cultural fad. Asking for help was something he could not do.