Everyone gets sad sometimes, and sometimes if feels worse than at other times.  Sometimes people feel depressed or sad because something stressful has happened in their lives--like losing a job or the death of a loved one.  Even a good thing can make a person feel overwhelmed if it is stressful enough.  And sometimes people get depressed for no obvious reason.

Millions of Americans, have emotional or psychological problems of some sort during their lives.  While we know that homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgender identity are not mental illnesses, the stresses caused by society's negative messages, condemnation, and violence can sometimes result in depression and other types of emotional difficulties for LGBT persons. See below for resources.
 

Clinical depression is a medical illness that attacks both the mind and the body.  It may be far more complex an illness than most people recognize.  Depression can cause significant chemical changes to the brain that may make it difficult for many people to overcome it without some time of professional help or treatment.

Depression is not the same as feeling blue or sad--those feelings are a normal part of life.  In clinical depression people feel bad for prolonged periods of time--weeks or months.  People who are depressed often find it difficult to concentrate.  Sometimes they feel like they are on an emotional roller-coaster, sometimes they have trouble getting sad or anxious thoughts out of their minds, and sometimes they just have no energy at all.

Depressed people sometimes have significant weight changes, either up or down.  They may have difficulty sleeping, especially in the early morning.  Some depressed people sleep more than usual.  Sexual interest may decrease. 

Untreated, depression can last for months or even years.  It may resolve by itself, but it often reoccurs.  With treatment, those who suffer from depression often report significant relief within 4-6 weeks.
 

Clinical depression is readily treatable with counseling and medication.  Many people suffer needlessly from depression because they don't seek treatment.  They may feel that depression is a personal weakness, or try to cope with their symptoms alone.

If you are feeling depressed, and have been for over a month, you should consider seeking professional help from a gay-positive (or trans-supportive) therapist, doctor, psychiatrist, or other health care provider.  There are plenty of mental and other health professionals who will support you and guide you towards being a happy and healthy LGBT person- you deserve nothing less. 

A study performed by the National Institutes of Mental Health showed that after 16 weeks of psychotherapy, 55% of those with mild to moderate depression reported significant improvement.  Different people react in different ways to various types of counseling, but cognitive therapy--in which you learn to recognize and replace depressive thinking--can be particularly effective for people experiencing depression.

When there is a chemical component to depression, antidepressant medication can help to correct the chemical imbalance (low levels of brain serotonin and norepinephrine).
 

• Try to accept your depression as an illness.  You cannot will the depression away.
• Try to do things that you enjoy--visit friends, get a massage, take a class--to get your mind off what may be contributing to the depression and to focus on things that help you feel better.
• Delay any big decisions or changes that involve work, love or money until you feel better.
• It's common to be forgetful when you're depressed, stressed out or anxious.  Take notes and make lists.  Your memory will improve when you feel better.
• Waking through the night is very common.  It's better to get out of bed until you feel sleepy again.  Repeated awakening in the early morning without being able to return to sleep easily is a sign that medical evaluation is needed.
• Mornings are often the worst time.  The day usually gets better towards evening.
• Avoid being home alone for long periods--the depressive thoughts can get worse when no one is around.
• Get outside at least once a day for a walk. Light to moderate exercise of any kind can be very helpful to your recovery.
• Don't try to "medicate" yourself with alcohol, marijuana or other drugs.  These drugs may actually make you more depressed than you were to begin with.

It can be difficult to be around a friend who is depressed.  You may feel helpless and sometimes angry, particularly if the person is irritable and doesn't respond when you reach out.  Keep reminding yourself that the person is ill, and doesn't mean to be hurtful or unresponsive.

You can't relieve clinical depression with love alone any more than you can cure heart disease or diabetes with just love.  People who are depressed need professional help, and some require medication.

On the other hand, social support improves treatment results in many serious illnesses including depression.  Reach out to your depressed friend so that he or she knows that you care.  Call.  Send affectionate notes.  Invite the person to dinner, movies, ball games, parties, and other events.  But keep your expectations low.  Even if your friend doesn't respond, you can be sure that he or she appreciates your attempts.
 

Clinical depression is similar to heart disease and cancer in that everyone is potentially at risk for each.  If you have a family history of one of these illnesses, your susceptibility increases.  This explains why some people develop a clinical depression only after a large, stressful event, while others develop clinical depression seemingly out of the blue.
 

This screen questionnaire is not designed to provide an actual diagnosis of depression.  For that, you will need a complete clinical evaluation by a psychiatrist or other health care professional.

1. I am unable to do things I used to do.
2. I feel hopeless about the future.
3. I can't make decisions.
4. I no longer enjoy the things I used to find fun.
5. I am losing or gaining weight.
6. I get tired for no reason.
7. I am sleeping too much, or too little.
8. I feel worthless and unhappy.
9. I become irritable or anxious.
10. I think about dying or killing myself.

If you answered yes to 5 or more of these questions, and you have felt this way everyday for several weeks, there is a good chance you are suffering from depression and should see a psychiatrist, a therapist, or other health care professional.

If you answered yes to question 10, you should seek help immediately, regardless of your answer to any other questions.

Resources
Want more information on this topic?   Mental Health and Mental Disorders - Healthy People 2010, Companion Document for Lesbian,  Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Health (pdf) Click here for the complete Companion Document  (pdf)
Looking for health services?  Click here

Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Public Health - Seattle & King County website