Gay Men and Depression

Gay Men and Depression

For the treatment of depression in gay men it's best to work with a therapist who is knowledgeable about all aspects of growing up gay in a homophobic society. A thorough assessment of depression requires evaluation by a licensed mental health practitioner. If you want to take advantage of an online assessment tool to get started, the Wakefield Self-Report Questionnaire will give you a general idea of the relative severity of your depression.

Clinical depression is characterized by at least 2 weeks of depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure, along with 3 or more of the following:

Significant weight loss or gain and/or increased or decreased appetite

Sleep difficulties

Physical agitation or feeling physically slowed down

Fatigue or loss of energy

Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate
guilt
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, I urge you to seek professional help. In Connecticut dial 211 for a 24 hour suicide hotline. If you have a suicide plan and you are feeling an urge or intent to carry it out, get immediate help at the nearest hospital emergency room.

Moderate to severe clinical depression in gay men, as well as milder depression that lasts significantly longer than 2 weeks, need evaluation and treatment by a mental health professional who is also knowledgeable about the challenges that come with being gay (including those discussed in my article on Gay Men and Self Esteem. ) If, however, you are experiencing only a mild, brief episode of depression, see if there are recent stresses or changes that have caused you to feel depressed. Talk it over with others you trust to get some ideas about how to resolve these issues, then see if you feel better as a result. You may also want to look at the Guidelines for Holistic Treatment of Depression presented by Dr. Andrew Weil.

Understanding the evaluation and treatment of depression can be confusing, since there are many forms and degrees of depression. If you are at all concerned that you may need treatment for depression, I encourage you to call me at 203-776-1966 to schedule an evaluation, so we can examine the matter together and formulate a treatment plan if need be. You can also contact me at irwin@gay-therapy-ct.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Irwin Krieger, LCSW