5 Reasons Why Gay Men are Prone to Depression

Gay Men and Depression

By: Daniel Sullivan, MA, LPC

Are you a gay man in Chicago looking for information about depression. If so, you are not alone. In a recent blog I wrote of my personal battle with depression. Like many gay men here in Chicago and around the country, my struggle with depression began when I was in Junior High School and has been an issue periodically throughout my adult life.

Unfortunately, as a gay man I rank with 42.3 percent of my community. Similar to many individuals battling depression I am also among the 41.2 percent of gay men who have struggled with an anxiety disorder.

Before I start sounding like Debbie Downer or Wilma Whiner, let me also say that while I have battled both depression and anxiety at this moment in time, I am winning the battle!

What about you? Have you ever experienced periods sadness, feeling physically drained, when the things which typically bring you joy (I.e. family, friends, traveling, shopping) have become extremely challenging? What about sleep patterns? Do you find yourself sleeping more hours than your awake or not sleeping at all?

What about you? Have you ever experienced periods sadness, feeling physically drained, when the things which typically bring you joy (I.e. family, friends, traveling, shopping) have become extremely challenging? What about sleep patterns? Do you find yourself sleeping more hours than your awake or not sleeping at all?

Regardless the one place you want to remain is in the bed, with the curtains drawn and lights out. Symptoms are described as depression when for at least two weeks you find that in some way there is an interference with your ability to work, sleep, eat and/or interact with others.

If this sound like you, well then you like exorbitant numbers of gay men might be suffering from depression. Here at the counseling office, we try to be extra aware of this issue among our LGBT clientele.

You may be asking yourself why do we see so many gay men battling depression and/or anxiety? Well, there are a variety of reasons. I thought it might be a good idea to share with you five of the top stressors gay men face which may lead to a gay man’s struggle with depression and/or anxiety.

1. Genetics-Like many of the millions of individuals suffering from depression and anxiety, you may have been lucky enough to inherit a genetic base which makes you more prone to depression or anxiety. As I spoke of in my last post, my grandfather battled depression until the day he died. While he was a central focus for me, I could go through my family lineage and list a myriad of family members who have had their own struggles with depression and anxiety. What about you? Are there family members on your family tree that have struggled with depression and anxiety? Genetically you may have a greater propensity towards mood disorders.
2. Different-“I feel different from other guys” Your sitting around listening to other guys talk about this girl or that girl and going through your mind is “yes, but what about the tight end on the football team.” Somehow instinctually you tell yourself to keep quiet and go along with the crowd. In your mind you battle that feeling that different is bad. The longer you carry this around, the greater the chance that feeling different is one of the foundational building blocks for depression and anxiety.
3. Lack of Role models– How many gay men recall health class and the hours dedicated to same sex relationships? Well, then it is likely that you might have a much distorted view of reality. Most gay men lack any education which mirrors their life. Thus, little understanding of same sex relationship challenges, sex or love. Gay role models are pretty much non-existent. This is often left to self-study, in secret via the internet.
4. Discrimination– Examples of discrimination, such as not being hired for a job, denied housing or service, as well as perceived discrimination, such as the sense that people treated them with less respect. As gay men how often have you heard that those around you are “tolerant” of all sexual orientations?This is supposed to make us feel better. Well, I don’t know about you, but I don’t need to be tolerated by anyone…that alone is a form of discrimination.
5. Religious Oppression-“Love the sinner but hate the sin.” Many gay men grow up with a religious heritage that even in the 21^st century still considers that being gay is an unhealthy choice that with enough prayer and fasting can be changed. If you as a gay man heard from the pulpit that you were an abomination, the likelihood that some depression will occur increases exponentially

Gay Man & Depression Final Thoughts

While the top five reasons which many lead to a greater propensity for gay men to develop depression and anxiety is nowhere near exhaustive, the top five reasons are fairly consistent.  What about you?

As a gay men have you experienced any of the top five reasons gay men may develop depression and anxiety? Perhaps there are other reasons which you can pinpoint. Whatever the reasons, you find that you fit the symptom criterion for depression.

What do you do now? Get help. If you or a loved one battles depressions and/or anxiety there is help available. Call me today and let me assist you in your journey out of depression and anxiety.