What is living in secrecy regarding sexual orientation or gender identity?
Living in secret about one's sexual orientation or gender identity can have significant psychological and physical effects on an individual's brain, nervous system, and body. It means hiding one's true identity, preferences, feelings, desires, attractions, or behavior from others due to fear, shame, social norms, cultural expectations, family pressures, or legal restrictions. This practice affects individuals in various ways, including but not limited to increased stress, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, isolation, self-doubt, low self-esteem, and mental health issues. Some studies suggest that it may also lead to changes in neurobiology such as altered brain structure, function, and connectivity over time.
Neurobiological consequences of living in secrecy
The long-term impact of secrecy on the brain and nervous system includes altered neurotransmitter levels, hormone production, neuron firing patterns, synaptic plasticity, and other aspects of neural communication. These changes may result in cognitive impairments, emotional disorders, mood swings, and behavioral problems.
People who conceal their sexual orientations or genders might experience decreased serotonin levels associated with negative thinking and depressive symptoms. They could also exhibit lower dopamine activity related to pleasure seeking and reward processing, causing them to feel less satisfied with life.
Norepinephrine deficiency linked to attention, motivation, arousal, and alertness is common among those who live secretly. Similarly, oxytocin insufficiency connected to bonding, trust, empathy, and social relationships may arise when individuals hide their identities.
How does secrecy impact physical health?
Living in secret about one's gender identity or sexual orientation can negatively influence physical wellbeing by increasing the risk for certain diseases like cardiovascular ailments, metabolic disorders, immune disorders, autoimmunity, cancer, and diabetes. It may cause inflammation, reduced white blood cell count, elevated cortisol levels, and heightened sympathetic nervous system activation. Such stress responses affect overall physiology leading to faster aging, organ dysfunction, and even death. Moreover, secrecy contributes to substance abuse as people try to cope with distress and unbearable feelings.
Impact on relationships
Secrecy around sexuality/gender identity hinders relationship satisfaction since it involves hiding one's true self from partners, friends, family members, colleagues, neighbors, and others. This practice creates barriers to intimacy, connection, trust, communication, mutual support, and growth because it prevents people from being genuinely themselves. As a result, they might withdraw from loved ones or avoid sharing personal details due to fear of rejection, judgment, criticism, or ridicule. They might also experience loneliness, alienation, estrangement, resentment, and other adverse effects that negatively impact interpersonal bonds. In addition, living in secret could lead to conflict-filled interactions where individuals feel trapped between their true identities and societal expectations.
Living in secrecy regarding sexual orientation or gender identity is detrimental to mental health, physical wellbeing, social connections, and quality of life. It causes long-term changes in the brain and nervous system resulting in cognitive impairments, emotional disorders, mood swings, behavioral problems, and poorer decision-making skills. The effects are more profound when secrets last for extended periods without resolution or support systems. Therefore, society must create safe spaces for individuals to freely express their authentic selves without stigma, shame, or discrimination.
What are the neurobiological consequences of living in secrecy regarding sexual orientation or gender identity over the long term?
Although there is still limited research on the effects of concealing one's sexuality and/or gender identity, what is known so far suggests that prolonged secrecy can have negative implications for mental health, including increased anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Neuroscience studies indicate that secrecy activates the brain's threat response system, which is associated with stress and distress.