DEPRESSION AND LGBTQ+ ADULTS
By Adam Elliott, ALC
Depression is one of the most widespread mental health issues in today’s society, and with the LGBTQ+ population it is one that is especially frightening due to both its prevalence and how dangerous it can be if left untreated. While people of all types develop depression for a variety of reasons, the circumstances that the LGBTQ+ community often finds itself having to deal with feed heavily into the development of depression and other disorders. But with the right support and help it is something that anyone can overcome, no matter how desperate your situation may feel!
How big of a problem is it?
LGBTQ+ individuals experience depression at a rate 2.5 times higher than heterosexual individuals, as well as other issues like substance abuse and anxiety. This also leads to the higher rate of suicide ideation and attempts that we see in this community, as depression and suicide can be closely related for obvious reasons. When we look at the level of discrimination and lack of support that LGBTQ+ people often face, this starts to make sense as to why it is such a prevalent issue. They face this in several parts of their lives such as: the workplace, school, in healthcare settings, and often with their own families. Another thing to consider is how often LGBTQ+ persons have to deal violence and harassment. Since we know that depression is often a result of going through a traumatic experience , as well as often a part of dealing with PTSD, we can see that there are a multitude of reasons that it is so prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community. Clients I have worked with often report that the lack of support and acceptance, especially from those close to them, is the hardest part to deal with. As humans we are very social creatures, and the emotional ties we have to others play a huge role in our mental well being, so to be deprived of that can have a serious negative effect on how we feel about ourselves and the world around us. I always find it is important to point out that being LGBTQ+ does not inherently make you more likely to develop a mental health issue, it is how the world around you reacts to you that causes this. And we know this because research has found that LGBTQ+ persons that are accepted by their family and friends show more reduced rates of depression. This is also why changing our environment, and finding sources of support, is such an important part in treating depression.
What does it look like?
While depression can present very differently from person to person, there are several symptoms that can help us determine if someone is experiencing it. One of the most common symptoms is an ever present feeling of sadness or apathy about their life, or in more severe cases, a sense of hopelessness. Feeling that there is no point to trying and that nothing matters can be very difficult to escape from. This is what often leads to more severe symptoms like suicidal ideation, as that feeling of hopelessness gets worse and we stop feeling like life is worth living. Another is a lack of motivation, or a feeling of being drained of it, to do even basic things like getting up or taking care of oneself. Oftentimes these symptoms can present as self-blame, feeling worthless, and other forms of negative self-talk. The more we think negatively about ourselves the more impact depression can have on our ability to want to do something to change our situation. This is one of the more dangerous parts of depression in my experience. Even though change is possible, depression can blind us to this and prevent us from trying different approaches that might actually make a difference in our lives. In the LGBTQ+ community this is one cause of the higher rates of suicidality, dissociation, and substance abuse that we see. Compounded with this is the higher rates of PTSD that LGBTQ+ persons experience, which can often push people to cope in unhealthy ways or feel like there is no escape. I often tell clients that substance abuse is a coping mechanism, just not a very good one. As we try more and more to avoid the things we are struggling with not only do they grow stronger, but we also add more problems to deal with from the unhealthy ways we try to cope with our situations. As mentioned LGBTQ+ also report higher levels of dissociation, or feeling separate from your present self and “out of my body”. This occurs when we feel overwhelmed by emotions and unable to handle them, almost like our minds are trying to escape ourselves. These symptoms underline why seeking treatment for depression is so important, if we don’t then it can continue to get worse and develop into even more severe problems down the line.
How counseling can help
When working with clients that struggle with depression I help them learn healthier ways to cope with what they are going through, as well as how to better understand what is causing it. If clients can understand where their problems come from, then they can stop putting the blame on themselves, and start focusing on addressing the actual issue. I also help them to develop self-love and care for themselves, and to see themselves for how they really are instead of how their thoughts make them feel. With my LGBTQ+ clients I emphasize developing a support network that can be there for them. As mentioned before, if we can change the environment that is around us then we can change how we are affected by it, and having people in your corner can make a world of difference. Above all that, I find that just having someone to talk with about what you are dealing with and having a safe place to process your emotions can allow us to start facing our issues instead of avoiding them. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, or other mental health problems, then it might be time to reach out for help. Therapy can start you on the path to stopping your negative thoughts and feelings from running your life, and help you to live the life you want.
