Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation
Many Americans of different races, ages, or genders experience a mental illness at one point or another in their lives. This general experience is no different for individuals of sexual orientations outside of heterosexuality. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ+) and other people with gender differences are susceptible to struggling with a mental illness also. Please note though, an individual identifying him/her/themselves as a sexual orientation other than heterosexuality is not considered a mental illness.
Terms to Understand
Gay- refers to a man who is emotionally and sexually attracted to other men.
Lesbian (or gay woman)- refers to a woman who is emotionally and sexually attracted to other women.
Bisexual- refers to someone (man or woman) who is emotionally and sexually attracted to both sexes.
Transgendered- does not refer to sexual orientation, but to gender identity. This refers to someone’s sense of being a man or woman, boy, or girl, or even nonbinary. Those who identify as transgendered can be heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Queer/Questioning- Questioning refers to individuals still in the process of discovery or exploration of their gender. Queer is a term that has been used in a variety of ways, to describe the community as a whole and also by individuals to describe more fluid identities.
“+” - represents other sexual identities, such as asexual, pansexual and intersex.
Those who identify as LGBTQ+ often have unique struggles that can affect their mental health and well-being. Negative stigma from society and the resulting prejudice and discrimination can be a cause of elevated depression, anxiety, or substance abuse issues in the LGBTQ+ community. In extreme cases, discrimination towards LGBTQ+ people can manifest as verbal or physical violence against them. Violence like this can lead to serious anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
In addition to the societal stigmas that can lead to increased risk for mental illness in the LGBTQ+ community, they may also have less support on which to rely. In some cases, they do not have the strong family support that can be beneficial in dealing with a mental illness, as some families may not be accepting of the individual’s gender identity or sexual orientation. In extreme situations, an LGBTQ+ person’s family may have completely cut ties with him or her, or ejected the individual from their home, leaving them to find their own means of support and survival.
LGBTQ+ Includes Questioning Adolescents
Adolescence is a time of significant physical, mental, and emotional development and change. Naturally, teens are trying to understand their sexuality. For adolescents who identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, or are questioning their sexual orientation, this stage in their lives can be even more daunting and confusing than the average teen experiences.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness notes that, in many cases, an LGBTQ+ teen or a teen perceived by peers as LGBTQ+ is subjected to intense harassment or victimization in the school setting, which can lead to harmful mental health consequences, such as increased levels of anxiety and depression. Another stressor faced by LGBTQ+ teens is the task of disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity- often called “coming out”- to those close to them; friends or family. It can be stressful to consider admitting this to loved ones due to a fear of judgment, rejection or a complete loss of family ties. With the risk of suicide being higher in adolescents in general, it is important to recognize that LGBTQ+ teens can be more vulnerable to mental health issues, including suicide, as they progress through adolescence.
In providing mental health care to those in the LGBTQ+ community, it is important to recognize and understand the unique needs of these individuals and the support that can help those in need to live healthy and happy lives.