Anxiety

This entry provides an overview of the experience of anxiety among sexual minorities. First, it discusses disparities in anxiety disorders related to sexual orientation, including specific anxiety-provoking situations for different groups of sexual minorities. Next, it reviews etiological models for the development and maintenance of anxiety in these populations. The etiological models describe some of the unique risk factors for anxiety and consequences of anxiety in these populations. Additionally, treatment considerations for mental health professionals who work with sexual-minority clients are reviewed. Special attention is given to social anxiety disorder, given that it has received the most empirical attention among sexual minorities and it may be particularly relevant to these populations. Given the paucity of research specifically focused on anxiety among gender minorities, this entry ...