Ongoing homophobia, stigma (unfair and negative beliefs), and discrimination (unfairly treating an individual or group of individuals) can have adverse impacts on your health. Research also demonstrates that, in contrast to heterosexual guys, homosexual and bisexual guys have greater odds of developing:
- Depression,
- Bipolar disease,
- Generalized anxiety disorder.
Homosexual and bisexual men can also face other health dangers that typically occur alongside mental health issues. These include higher intake of Illegal drugs and also a higher risk for suicide. Gay and bisexual males are more likely than other people to have attempted to commit suicide and to succeed in doing so.
The emotional health problems gay men have to deal with are not confined to discrimination and stigma. According to a recent research, homosexual men are four times more likely to commit suicide than heterosexual men. Moreover, over half of those guys who identify themselves as homosexual suffer from anxiety or depression. In a nutshell, the emotional health problems suffered by homosexual men are a critical problem and finding ways to counter them is crucial in today’s society.
As mentioned above, the mental health problems suffered by gay men are a severe problem where the best method to treat them is by spreading awareness about gay mental health as depression and gay men are correlated all too often. Spreading awareness about the mental health issues suffered by gay men can help to improve their health and permit them to live a stress free life. So, without further ado, let us take a look at the common mental health problems suffered by gay men.
Internalized Homophobia
Years of exposure to stereotypes, myths and homophobic rhetoric has compelled gay men to internalize this negativity and think, consciously or subconsciously, that these myths, stereotypes and homophobic rhetoric are true. This mental health problem suffered by homosexual men is called internalized homophobia. Internalized homophobia is known to worsen general stress which in turn leads to poorer physical health as well as the obvious, decline in mental health and well-being.
Body image and Femininity issues
If you surf gay dating/hookup sites, you will find many profiles with the statements ‘No Fats, No Fems.’ This statement essentially means that the person isn’t interested in dating guys with feminine qualities. This is an indication of larger issues in the gay male community for example overvaluing stereotypical heterosexual qualities and unreasonable body image expectations.
According to a recent analysis, the pressure of being masculine forces gay men to be less emotional and affectionate. Moreover, body image problems increase their risk of developing an eating disorder. As it contradicts the approval, quality, and openness the gay community should supply, through support groups such as Startout. The strain to be manly causes lots of homosexual men to feel frustrated and stressed.
Overworking to prove their worthiness to the world
Also based on the aforementioned study, normally homosexual men have a higher income and are more effective than heterosexual men. This may seem like great news but it is not. Some homosexual men see their sexuality as a deficiency. Thus, to compensate for their ‘lack’, homosexual men attempt to be high-achieving or perfect in different aspects of life. The pressure to be perfect in various elements of their lifestyle causes great stress and anxiety in gay males. This really is a mental health problem that troubles many homosexual men today in Australia and overseas.
The fear of bullying, being judged or rejected causes lots of gay men to isolate themselves or suffer from social anxiety. Additionally, legislations that restrict their right reinforces to gay men that they are not equal to heterosexuals. Each of these things lead to the previously mentioned mental health issues suffered by gay guys.
