John Boylston, J.D.

You are not suffering alone.

John Boylston is an attorney, not in spite of his mental health condition, but potentially because of it.  John was not diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Dysthymia until he had already been practicing law for a few years.  Upon seeking treatment and learning of his diagnosis, however, John realized that he had been suffering most of his life.

Lawyers are hired to examine every detail, think ten steps ahead, and see potential risks that others might miss.  But John realized that he couldn’t “turn it off” when he went home for the day.  He was being suffocated by the anxiety. It got so debilitating that he was ready to quit his job and leave everything behind, but he agreed to see a counselor first.  After two years of regular therapy and medication for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Dysthymia, John manages his anxiety, but it is something he will always live with and it still affects his daily life.

Attorneys suffer from mental health conditions at twice the rate of the general public, and as a result experience substance abuse at significantly higher rates as well.  It is often hard and complicated for attorneys to address mental health conditions, because there are elements of anxiety that are seen as a good trait in a lawyer.  John wants to raise awareness about mental health conditions for attorneys, and other professionals, so that they can learn how to separate themselves from their work while learning healthy habits to combat the excess stress and anxiety that comes with the profession.  He is also passionate about encouraging young people who have mental health conditions to still strive for difficult professional careers.