Dealing with LGBT Stress

​We all know that stress is part of the human condition.  Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender individuals face many of the same stressors that heterosexual individuals face.  In addition to those stressors, the LGBT community faces discrimination, stigma, prejudice, and internalized homophobia.  These additional stressors can come in the form of employment or housing discrimination, hate crimes, bullying, barriers to healthcare, exclusion from community, violence, etc.  All of these things lead to higher rates of stress among the LGBT community.

  Research shows that these high levels of stress contribute to poor health and have been connected to suicidal behavior, self-harm, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.

So, you may ask yourself, what can I do to battle these stressors?  Common solutions to stress are exercising more, getting enough sleep, time management, meditation, diet, and avoiding caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol.  

These are all great tools for stress reduction. To combat the specific stressors related to the LGBT community we need to add to those tools.  Important ways to decrease LGBT related stress are to: know your rights, get involved in the community, utilize support groups, educate yourself and your loved ones, find LGBT friendly healthcare providers, and familiarize yourself with local resources.  The more you know, the better you can navigate any obstacles you may encounter.  If you live in a rural area it may be difficult to connect to an LGBT community, but support can be found in online forums.  HRC.org is a good starting point for education on LGBT rights by state.  Other good online resources are pflag.org and goaffirmations.com.  

Though we can’t always change the amount of stress we’ll be faced with, we can change our response to it.  The above tools are a great way to help handle the many challenges that come with being LGBT.  Don’t give up hope and ask for help should you need it!

Local LGBT Groups and other therapeutic support groups in The Detroit area: http://www.meetup.com/Emotional-Support-Collaborative/ 

 

Written by: Amanda Furca, Graduate Level Intern, LoringTherapy LLC

Edited by: Charity Loring, LMSW

loringtherapy.com

Adapted from the 2014 article, “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Stress,” 

by Jay A. Irwin.

http://www.academia.edu/6725226/Lesbian_Gay_Bisexual_and_Transgender_Stress_Wiley_Blackwell_Encyclopedia_of_Health_Illness_Behavior_and_Society_