LGB At Higher Risk for Mental Health Problems

LGB at higher risk for mental health problems

A new research from Concordia University has revealed that lesbians, gays and bisexuals (LGB) are more prone to the stress of being rejected or victimized as sexual orientation may disrupt hormonal responses in them.

Michael Benibgui, who led this investigation as part of his PhD thesis at Concordia's Department of Psychology and Centre for Research in Human Development concludes that suicide rates are found 14 times higher among lesbian, gay and bisexual high school and college students in comparison to their heterosexual peers.

He further added that depression and anxiety were widespread in LGB.

To know the reason behind this behavior they studied the physiological impact of homophobic social environments on a group of healthy young LGB adults.

This study found that LGBs felt negatively about themselves due to their sexual identity, bullying or discrimination.

Mr. Michael quoted as saying, “This study shows a clear relation between abnormal cortisol levels and environmental stressors related to homophobia".

Cortisol is a hormone that is released in the brain in response to the stress. It is a well known fact that cortisol abruptions can cause physical ailments.

According to the study, parental, family and peer support for a person, who is lesbian, gay or bisexual is very effective in controlling cortisol disruption.