Dallas County DA talks about her two-month absence and untreated depression
Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk says she refuses to be ashamed about her battle with major depressive disorder.
Hawk is back on the job after a two-month stay at a psychiatric hospital in Houston where she received treatment for depression, anxiety and attention deficit disorder. She spoke with the Dallas Morning News and NBCDFW about her ongoing battle with mental health issues.
“I am a public servant, and I always have been,” she said. “I know now that I will be the best DA that I could ever be.”
Hawk said a friend drove her to the psychiatric hospital after she drove to the friend’s home and confessed she wanted to resign her job and commit suicide.
Hawk said she experienced depression beginning in the seventh grade, and she dealt with it by staying busy. Her mental health deteriorated more in the last five years as she went through a divorce, took over as Dallas County DA in January, and stories broke about her 2013 stint in rehab to stop taking pain medication.
Hawk said her anxiety made her a terrible communicator and a paranoid boss. (Former employees have alleged she accused them of spying on her and breaking into her home.) But she stands by decisions to fire several employees, with the exception of one person. And she says she now knows how to recognize the symptoms of anxiety that caused her paranoia.
Today is National Depression Screening Day, the Am Law Daily (sub. req.) reports. The story provides links for information about screening and the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs.
