Other types of emotional and mental health problems
Individuals in the LGBTIQ community may also experience a variety of other
types of mental illnesses. LGBTIQ individuals are no more or less likely to
have serious mental illnesses than other people.
Mental illnesses come in a variety of forms. Some, like
schizophrenia, may involve disruptions to the way we think and symptoms that
include hearing voices or seeing things that aren't there. Other mental
illnesses, like depression, involve changes in the way we feel and/or
behave.
Our society still attaches significant stigma to mental
illnesses - much in the way we used to do with cancer and, more recently,
with AIDS. This stigma often leads people to try to hide a mental illness,
preventing them from seeking the assistance that can help them feel better.
For LGBTIQ individuals, the multiple stigma of being in a minority group as
well as a person struggling with a mental illness may be extremely
challenging, and make day-to-day existence difficult.
The good news is that help is available. It's always a good
idea to speak with your primary care doctor or mental health counselor about
how you are feeling. Discuss concerns you or they may have about your mental
health, just as you would discuss any other type of illness.
If you don't
have a doctor or counselor, help may be available from your local mental
health system.
For more information:
Top of Page |
Q & A
What is clinical
depression?
Is clinical depression
treatable?
Depression and suicide
Tips for handling depression
What to do if someone you love is depressed
Who is at risk for clinical depression?
Depression screening questionnaires
Other types of emotional and mental health
problems
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