Depression in Gay Men

All human beings experience being down from time to time. A person who is depressed, though, experiences this sadness for an extended period, and may even begin to believe that he will feel this way forever. According the The Royal College of Psychiatrists, gay teenagers and young adults are more likely to experience depression due, in part, to the stress of "coming out."

Statistics

• When compared to heterosexual men, gay men appear to be at a greater risk for the diagnosis of major depression, according to the Lilly Corporation. Further, those who are gay are nearly 2.5 times more likely to suffer from anxiety, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Symptoms

• Depression can exhibit itself in more than one way. A feeling of unhappiness that won't lift and sometimes worsens at a particular time of day is a common symptom. The loss of enjoyment in everyday activities, pessimism, lack of concentration, feelings of guilt regarding things that have nothing to do with you, loss of interest in sex, sleep disturbances, lack of appetite and weight loss, or suicidal thoughts are also key symptoms of depression among gay men.

Possible Causes

• Gay men are born into a world where they are frequently told that their feelings are bad. The message sometimes comes from family, and people at school, in church, and in the community. Total strangers often feel free to make inappropriate remarks to gay men. Even other gay men, hoping to hide their own sexual orientation, will sometimes disparage a gay man. It comes as no surprise then that gay men frequently suffer from low self-esteem, accompanied by depression. When a man has low self-esteem, he will often overlook his physical well-being, leading to a spiral of more guilt and depression. In addition to all the negativity from the world around him, a gay man still has his career to contend with, personal relationships to balance and bills to pay. He has all the "regular" stresses of modern society, with the added pressure of dealing with his sexual identity.

Help for Depression

• Help is available and depression is treatable, even when it feels as though it's hopeless. It's best for a gay man to work with a therapist who is knowledgeable about all aspects of growing up gay, according to Therapy for Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Trans in Connecticut. A licensed mental health practitioner with experience working with gay men can conduct a thorough assessment of a man's depression and come up with tools to combat it. Depending upon the situation, a gay man may need individual or group therapy, medication, a support group, or a combination of these options. It is important to stick with therapy once you've begun. It is often only through trial and error that the ideal treatment is found.

The Bottom Line

• Despite increased vulnerability and added pressures in life, most gay men lead happy, productive lives. It is important, though, that anyone who begins to experience symptoms of depression seek support from his doctor, family members or friends. Depression is not a life sentence, and can be helped using the proper tools.