Supporting a Friend

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are at a high risk of developing clinical depression. Many transgender and gender-diverse individuals have attempted suicide. Why do these disparities exist, and how can you find supportive, equitable health?

Knowing the symptoms of depression can help you or someone you know get the treatment they need.

Risk of LGBTQIA+ Depression

It’s estimated that between 3 and 6 of every 10 people who identify as LGBTQIA+ experience depression or anxiety at some point in their lives. The risk of depression is twice as high for those who are lesbian, gay, and bisexual as it is for the rest of the population. For those who are trans, the risk is almost 4 times higher.

One reason members of the LGBTQIA+ community face higher rates of depression is discrimination and prejudice. More than half of the LGBTQIA+ community has reported experiencing threats, harassment, violence, and hurtful comments about their sexual orientation or gender identity. Social isolation can also increase the risk of depression, and people who are LGBTQIA+ may feel more alone and isolated in their community. Geographic isolation can also contribute to this. An estimated 2.9 million people who are LGBTQIA+ live in a rural county. Smaller communities can make differences more visible and offer fewer support and service options.

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community can also have difficulty finding access to health care because of negative beliefs and actions. Not having good access to health care, especially gender-affirming care for trans and gender-diverse individuals, can increase the risk of depression.

It’s not just that people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community are more at risk of depression. People who are LGBTQIA+ also have a much higher risk of suicide. And they’re more likely to have depression that interferes with their everyday activities.

One study found that 13% of people who are LGBTQIA+ experienced mental health symptoms that were severe enough to interfere with their everyday activities. That is compared to 4% of those who were not members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

At social and structural levels, practices that reduce discrimination and enhance equity can also reduce depression in LGBTQIA+ people.

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Symptoms of Depression

Not everyone has the same symptoms of depression. Some people might have only a few symptoms, while others may have several. If you are experiencing depression, talk to a doctor or nurse for help, especially if your symptoms prevent you from fully functioning in your daily life,

Common symptoms of depression include:

  • Feeling hopeless, worthless, helpless, or guilty.
  • Feeling sad or anxious all the time, or feeling “empty.”
  • Feeling irritable or having a short temper.
  • Not enjoying activities that normally make you happy.
  • Not having a lot of energy or feeling fatigue frequently.
  • Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still.
  • Having trouble remembering things, concentrating, or making decisions.
  • Having trouble sleeping or sleeping much more than usual.
  • Changes in your appetite or weight.
  • Having thoughts about death or suicide or wanting to hurt or kill yourself.
  • Having aches, pains, headaches, cramps, or stomach problems that don’t have another explanation.
  • Moving or talking more slowly than usual.

Treatment for Depression

The two main types of individual treatment for depression include therapy and medicine. Most often, using both of these treatments together has the most success.

Therapy

Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, helps people see the way they deal with emotions. It also helps people change their reactions to their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Therapy involves talking to a licensed mental health provider, such as a counselor or psychologist.

Therapy can be between one patient and their mental health professional, or it can take place in a group setting. Some people do well in either setting, while others do better in one or the other.

Talk therapy can take time to help you feel better. It’s important to find a counselor who is right for you and continue seeing them to give therapy a chance to work.

Medicine

Antidepressant medicines can treat depression. These mediciness work by changing the way your brain uses chemicals that affect your mood or stress.

There are many different kinds of antidepressants, and different drugs and dosages work better for some people than others. The side effects of different antidepressants also vary from one person to another. It can take time to find out which antidepressant and which dose will work best for you.

Most antidepressants take 4 to 6 weeks to begin fully working. It’s important to take them for that many weeks before deciding if they work for you. During this time, you might experience changes in your mood, sleep, appetite, and ability to think clearly.

If you start to feel better, you should not stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor. Stopping an antidepressant abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms, your depression returning, or other effects.

Crisis Support

Whether you are experiencing a crisis or not, special support resources for the LGBTQIA+ community are available 24/7.

For more information about mental health services at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, call 1-877-624-4100 or 412-624-1000.

resolve Crisis Services at UPMC Western Behavioral Health provides 24/7 counseling and support to all Allegheny County residents. Call 1-888-796-8226 or visit our walk-in center at 333 North Braddock Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .

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About UPMC Western Behavioral Health

UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is the hub of UPMC Behavioral Health, a network of community-based programs providing specialized mental health and addiction care for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Our mission is to provide comprehensive, compassionate care to people of all ages with mental health conditions. UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is a nationally recognized leader in mental health clinical care, research, and education. It is one of the nation’s foremost university-based psychiatric care facilities through its integration with the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. We are here to help at every stage of your care and recovery.