Depression

Elevated rates of clinical depression have been documented among LGBTQ populations when compared with cisgender and heterosexual peers. Depression is a mental health disorder with cognitive, physical, and affective symptoms marked by loss of interest and pleasure in activities. This entry discusses depression in the LGBTQ community using the minority stress theory model as an explanatory framework. Variations in prevalence (the percentage of the population affected at any one time) and symptom expression are described, as well as resilience and risk factors.

Prevalence

Lifetime depression rates in LGBTQ populations are consistently higher than those in heterosexual and cisgender samples. LGBTQ populations are up to 4 times more likely to meet the criteria for major depressive disorder than peers. Rates of symptoms extreme enough to merit a ...

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