LGBTQ ANXIETY

LGBTQ ANXIETY 

If you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) and you struggle with anxiety or depression, let’s start by putting things into context. By that I mean let’s think through powerful life experiences that fundamentally impact your sense of well-being. 

• I’m fundamentally different, and don’t fit in.  
• I’m not worthwhile unless I’m accepted by those I admire.  
• If someone got to know the real me, they wouldn’t accept me. 

 These are among the most common core beliefs and underlying assumptions that generate problems with social anxiety, shame and depression among LGBTQ.  

Although things have improved dramatically during recent years depending on one’s social, religious and family upbringing.  Youth are often hearing repeated messages from many sources that they are sick, sinful, disgusting and should not exist. LGBTQ anxiety and depression is common and happens. If the outside world is full of negative messages about who you are, you may come to see yourself as fundamentally flawed and unlovable. This experience can have powerful, long-lasting negative effects on mental health.  

Because of stigma and discrimination, LGBTQ youth are more likely than non-LGBTQ youth to struggle with their mental health.  

LGBTQ young people are more than twice as likely to feel suicidal, and over four times as likely to attempt suicide, compared to heterosexual youth (kann 2016); the rates may be especially high for bisexual teens (Marshal 2011). According to one study, one third of transgender youth have seriously considered suicide, and one in five has made a suicide attempt (Reisner 2015) 

Somewhere between 30 and 60 percent of LGBTQ people deal with anxiety and depression at some point in their lives. That rate is 1.5 to 2.5 times higher than that of straight. 

HELLO PEOPLE , If you are LGBTQ I’d wager a bet that you’are really good at reading a sitution to determine how much you can safely be yourself. You  will be subjected to high levels of persistent prejudice and discrimination.  

For example, just ask any teen who’s attracted to people of the same sex (or think back to your own experiences) and you will hear or remember vivid examples of the fear, shame and ridicule that lead to learning how to read a situation. 

Being highly attentive to such context as a LGBTQ person shapes your internal world too. It affects how you think and feel about yourself. In response to an outside world full of negative messages about what it means to be attracted to people of the same sex or gender, many people come to view themselves as deeply flawed, unlovable, unworthy, and hopeless.  

What is unique about LGBTQ anxiety and depression ? 

• Higher risk for substance abuse 
• Higher risk for suicide  
• Increase reliance on sex as a coping skill 
• Difficulty admitting the need for help 
• Difficulty feeling safe with clinicians 

Talking to therapist can help !  

  

 It might not be easy, but getting help with issues you’re struggling to deal with on your own is one of the most important things you can do.  

Talking with a therapist who’s trained to work with LGBTQ people may help with issues such as: 

• Anger, isolation or rejection from family, friends or your community 
• Fear of violence  
•  Difficulty accepting your sexual orientation  
• Coping with other people’s reactions to your sexuality 

• Feeling your body does not reflect your true gender 
• Low self-esteem                                  
• Self harm 
• Suicidal thoughts         
• Depression 

• Coping with bullying and discrimination  
• Fear of violence      

Hey society ! Lets support them : 

Support can begin in childhood and adolescence. It’s important  that LGBTQ  youth have support, both in school and at home. LGBTQ  youths should feel comfortable and safe in environmnents that are socially, emotionally, and physically supportive. 

1.School

Resources to support LGBTQ teens are still lacking in a lot of schools, but school climate and attitudes toward LGBTQ youth has improved over the years. 

LGBTQ youth who have access to support do better in school. Schools can do a number of things to make the environment safer and more supportive of LGBTQ youth including: 

• Implementing clear policies against discrimination and harassment  
• Support groups such as gay-straight alliances or other student clubs 

• Implementing  
• LGBTQ topics as part of the curriculum 
• Having supportive staff  

    2.Home   

Parents should be willing to talk openly with their teen about any problems they’re having at home or school and be watchful for signs of bullying or violence.  

Parents should: 

• Talk  
• Listen 

• Be supportive 
• Stay some involved in their teen’s life 

When to get help: 

Do not suffer in silence. You should get help as soon as you feel you need it. It’s never too late to get help, no matter how big or small your problems might seem. 

You could benefit from a talking therapy if you are: 

• Feel tired or lack energy 
• Feel tearful 
• Shut yourself away from people 
• No longer want to do things you used to enjoy 

• Use alcohol or drugs to help you cope with your feelings 
• Think about suicide 

If you are struggling to cope of right now  

Call : 116 123 (open 24hours, everyday) 

Online refrences: 

http://www.apadivision44.org/

https://publications.aston.ac.uk/id/eprint/8367/1/Chapter1_p3-24.pdf

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