Despite progressive acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, nonbinary, asexual, pansexual, polyamorous, monogamous, demisexual, heteroflexible, omnisexual, and other sexual orientations, people who identify themselves as such still suffer from persecution and discrimination in many parts of the world. According to a report published by the United Nations in 2018, over 69 countries have laws criminalizing homosexuality, while 45 others allow for imprisonment based on sexual orientation. These statistics demonstrate how stigmatized LGBT individuals are, which may cause severe mental health problems if left untreated.
The question is whether it's possible to separate mental illness caused by social trauma when diagnosing someone from their sexual orientation or gender identity? This article will explore the issue, giving insight into the link between mental illness and sexual orientation or gender identity in society.
Mental Illness and Social Trauma
The relationship between mental illness and social trauma can be explained by the concept of stigma. The word 'stigma' refers to negative attitudes toward a person or group based on prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination. In the case of LGBT individuals, they face rejection, exclusion, and devaluation because of societal norms that view them as deviant. As a result, they experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression that significantly impact their overall well-being. Studies show that up to 35% of gay men and transgender women struggle with major depressive disorder compared to 7% of heterosexuals and cisgender women, respectively.
Suicide rates among these groups are higher than those in the general population. Therefore, social trauma plays an essential role in the development of mental illnesses among LGBT people.
Mental Illness Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves identifying mental health conditions using diagnostic criteria set forth by professional organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The DSM-5, for instance, lists various mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
It is important to note that mental illness diagnoses must consider contextual factors like gender and sexual orientation.
Someone who self-identifies as bisexual but has been exposed to homophobic slurs may develop post-traumatic stress disorder due to this social trauma. Their symptoms could be attributed to PTSD rather than sexual identity alone. Similarly, a transgender person may suffer from gender dysphoria if not accepted by society or family members. It's crucial for healthcare providers to assess each patient individually while considering their social environment when making a diagnosis.
The link between mental illness and social trauma cannot be ignored when diagnosing LGBT individuals in stigmatizing environments. Healthcare professionals should focus on treating patients holistically, taking into account all relevant factors contributing to their condition. While some individuals may experience emotional distress solely because of their sexuality or gender identity, others may have additional factors contributing to their symptoms. Therefore, diagnosis requires careful consideration of each patient's unique situation before determining an appropriate treatment plan.
Is it possible to separate mental illness from social trauma when diagnosing LGBT individuals in stigmatizing environments?
Although there are distinct differences between mental illness and social trauma, they often occur together and can be difficult to distinguish. Mental health professionals may not always accurately identify these two factors due to the complexity of their interrelationship and lack of understanding of how different cultures perceive gender and sexuality. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to approach diagnostic processes with cultural sensitivity and awareness of potential biases.