Nearly twice as many LGBTQ+ respondents say they are currently diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety than the general population
SALT LAKE CITY, June 5, 2023 – Nearly all (93%) LGBTQ+ respondents have turned to alcohol, drugs, binge or restrictive eating, gambling or other coping mechanisms to “deal with life’s problems,” according to the GeneSight®Mental Health Monitor, a nationwide survey from Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYGN). This is significantly higher than the general population, where 77% say they’ve used coping mechanisms or addictive behavior to cope.
“I have had suicidal ideation for decades, so I would try to find things [like coping mechanisms] to stop those thoughts even if just for a little bit,” said Rose, a transgender woman from Indiana. “The problem is these behaviors become unbalanced crutches.”
More than nine out of ten people who identify as LGBTQ+ agree that substance and behavioral addictions can mask underlying mental health issues.
“In looking for acceptance, some LGBTQ+ community members may turn to dangerous behaviors to cope with the stress society places on them for being who they are,” said Dawn Johnson, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with the Indiana Center for Recovery, who treated Rose.
Of those who turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms, 30% of LGBTQ+ respondents said turning to coping mechanisms like alcohol, drugs, food, gaming, or gambling “helped” when they were dissatisfied with their mental health.
High incidence of depression/anxiety
Nearly twice as many LGBTQ+ respondents say they are currently diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety than the general population (41% vs. 22% for depression, and 47% vs. 25% for anxiety). On the positive side, the majority of this group (65%) indicate they have a trusted healthcare provider for their mental health needs, more than all adults surveyed (58%).
“My mental health was an invisible stone and it got heavy carrying it. By working on my mental health, I’m able to set down that stone and focus on engaging with the world,” said Rose. “The advice I would give other members of the LGBTQ+ community is that the first step to taking care of your mental health is finding a mental health professional. The second step is making sure that the clinician or therapist is right for you.”
LGBTQ+ adults seek support, acceptance, and communication
The GeneSight Mental Health Monitor found that more than half of LGBTQ+ individuals surveyed agreed that talking to friends/family was the most helpful step in improving mental health symptoms, if they were dissatisfied with their mental health in the past year. Nearly 40% agreed that “more support from family and friends” would be the most impactful step to improving their mental health in the future, followed by “medication that better relieves my symptoms” (37%).
Yet, more than half (52%) of LGBTQ+ respondents said they experienced trial and error in trying to find a mental health medication that worked for them. More than four in ten (42%) LGBTQ+ individuals said they turned to an unhealthy coping mechanism as a result of medication failure.
Rose experienced trial and error with mental health medications for decades. Johnson ordered the GeneSight test for Rose, which analyzes how a patient’s genes may affect their outcomes with medications commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions.
“The GeneSight test didn’t take away my mental health struggles, but helped my clinician find a medication that made my issues manageable for the first time in my life,” said Rose. “I still have struggles, but having medication that helps me and minimizes my suicidal thoughts is huge. Having my depression and anxiety under control means that I have more time, ability and motivation to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.”
GeneSight team to partner with Transform Cincy
To support the mental health journey of transgender and gender non-conforming youth, Myriad Genetics will partner with Transform Cincy, a Cincinnati-based organization which provides free wardrobes to transgender and gender non-conforming youth.
“A journey can begin with a single thread. Transform Cincy can help those who want to dress in a way that more closely aligns with who they are on the inside,” Tristan N. Vaught (they/them), co-founder of Transform Cincy. “Together with Myriad Genetics, we will develop a mental health education program so that if they are struggling, they can find places to turn and ways to seek help.”
The GeneSight team will work with Transform Cincy to create an education program for mental health treatment options, which may include where to go for help and understanding treatment options available.
To listen to other practitioners sharing advice for treating the LGBTQ+ population, visit GeneSight Cares. Additional survey results, video and graphics are available at genesight.com/mental-health-monitor. For tips and tactics on ways to improve mental health outside of treatment, visit our Brighter Days Challenge.
About the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor
The GeneSight Mental Health Monitor is a nationwide survey conducted online by ACUPOLL Precision Research, Inc. in February 2023 among a statistically representative sample (n=1000) of U.S. adults age 18+. The survey included a representative sample of adults diagnosed with depression and anxiety, as well as LGBTQ+ adults. The margin of error in survey results for the total base population at a 95% confidence interval is +/- 3%. The margin of error for the LGBTQ+ population (n=404) at a 95% confidence interval is +/-5%.
About the GeneSight Test
The GeneSight Psychotropic test from Myriad Genetics is the category-leading pharmacogenomic test for 64 medications commonly prescribed for depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other psychiatric conditions. The GeneSight test can help inform clinicians about how a patient’s genes may impact how they metabolize and/or respond to certain psychiatric medications. Tens of thousands of clinicians have ordered the GeneSight test for more than two million patients in order to receive genetic information that is unique to each patient. The GeneSight test supplements other information considered by a clinician as part of a comprehensive medical assessment. Learn more at GeneSight.com.
About Myriad Genetics
Myriad Genetics is a leading genetic testing and precision medicine company dedicated to advancing health and well-being for all. Myriad develops and offers genetic tests that help assess the risk of developing disease or disease progression and guide treatment decisions across medical specialties where genetic insights can significantly improve patient care and lower healthcare costs. For more information, visit www.myriad.com.
Myriad, the Myriad logo, BRACAnalysis, BRACAnalysis CDx, Colaris, Colaris AP, MyRisk, Myriad MyRisk, MyRisk Hereditary Cancer, MyChoice CDx, Prequel, Prequel with Amplify, Amplify, Foresight, Precise, FirstGene, SneakPeek, Health.Illuminated., RiskScore, Prolaris, GeneSight, and EndoPredict are trademarks or registered trademarks of Myriad Genetics, Inc. © 2023 Myriad Genetics, Inc. All rights reserved.
[1] Categories include:
- Drinking – Socially or alone
- Marijuana – Smoking or edibles
- Drug use – Sedatives, stimulants, hallucinogens, anesthetics, or inhalants (not including marijuana)
- Excessive gambling – Sports or non-sports
- Binge/restrictive food, sleeping, or exercise
- Excessive social media or video gaming
- Binging TV or movies
- Clubbing/partying