Depression and GLBT Issues Homepage

In the process of discovering your sexual orientation, there are many feelings you may experience as you develop self- acceptance. Because the world is still relatively hostile and prejudice towards gays and lesbians, it is not uncommon to feel confused, isolated, lonely, guilty or depressed. Unfortunately, many societies make people hide their homosexuality and as a result they end up living double lives and denying who they really are. Experiencing these feelings is normal. However, some feelings like depression, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts indicate you need some professional help learning to accept your homosexuality.

Millions of Americans, both gay and straight, transgender and non-transgender, have emotional or psychological problems of some sort during their lives. While we know that homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgender identity are not mental illnesses, the stresses caused by society's negative messages, condemnation, and violence can sometimes result in depression and other types of emotional difficulties for GLBT persons.

Depression and GLBT Issues

• Depression and Mental Health Emerge as Major Concerns for the Gay/Lesbian Community
• Some Gays Feel Pushed to Marry Straights
• Facing Middle Age and AIDS
• Homophobia Causes Real Emotional Damage
• The Fallout: When a Spouse Comes Out

Depression Treatment

The treatment of mood disorders is not a simple matter. It is not so simple as diagnosing depression and writing a prescription for Zoloft or Effexor. The individual causes of depression are diverse and poorly understood. The antidepressant medications used to treat it are just as diverse and matching a drug with an individual is not a clear cut decision. Individual symptoms, co-existing illness, tolerance of side-effects, and other medications previously tried are just a few factors that must be considered.

In this section on abuse and depression, you'll find a few articles on treatment.

• Is Clinical Depression Treatable?
• Can Caviar Cure Depression?
• Cognitive Therapy for Depression
• Self Help for Depression

For the most comprehensive information about Depression and Treatment, visit our Depression Community Center at HealthyPlace.com.

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