[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/09\/depression-transgender-community\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/09\/depression-transgender-community\/","headline":"Depression and Anxiety in The Transgender Community","name":"Depression and Anxiety in The Transgender Community","description":"Transgender people have an increased risk of anxiety and depression, but a supportive social network reduces this risk.","datePublished":"2021-09-02","dateModified":"2025-06-04","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/behavioral-health-regions","name":"UPMC Western Behavioral Health","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/behavioral-health-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/behavioral-health\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GettyImages-1299621061.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GettyImages-1299621061.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/09\/depression-transgender-community\/","about":["LGBTQIA+ Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":921,"articleBody":"People who are transgender (trans) and gender-diverse have an increased risk of anxiety and depression. For a variety of reasons, however, finding help may be difficult. People in the LGBTQIA+ community often have specific mental and physical health care needs that should be respected and addressed.Learn more about the risk factors, how to find accepting\u00a0mental\u00a0and behavioral\u00a0health care, and other steps you can take to improve your mental health.Higher Risk for Anxiety and DepressionPeople who are trans and gender-diverse have a higher risk of anxiety and depression than those who are cisgender. Cisgender or cis refers to people whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.A\u00a02021 study\u00a0found that college students who are trans were twice as likely to have depression and anxiety than cis students. Students who were trans were also four times more likely to attempt suicide than students who were cis.Why Trans and Gender-Diverse People Face Higher Risk for Anxiety and DepressionThere are many reasons trans and gender-diverse people can be at a greater risk for anxiety and depression. These include:DiscriminationTransphobia is dislike or prejudice against people who are trans and gender-diverse. It includes discrimination against transgender people in seeking jobs, finding housing, or just going about everyday life.Transphobia can make it hard for trans and gender-diverse people to find a jobs or safe places to live. These problems also can contribute to anxiety and depression.StigmaStigma refers to a social belief that someone is not worthy of respect because of their identity or health. Those who identify as transgender are more likely to\u00a0feel stigma\u00a0if they live in an area with fewer trans and gender-diverse people. Research has\u00a0found\u00a0that experiencing\u00a0stigma\u00a0can increase the risk of depression and anxiety.MicroaggressionsMicroaggressions are subtle actions that cause emotional pain to others. For those who are transgender, such actions can include someone intentionally or unintentionally using the wrong pronoun or not using a person’s chosen or affirmed name. The impact of microaggressions can build up over time.If microaggressions happen often enough, they can contribute to depression and anxiety.Reduced access to careMembers of the trans and gender-diverse community can struggle to find care providers who can help them access\u00a0gender-affirming care. Lack of gender-affirming care and the inability of a trans or gender-diverse person to live as their authentic self can increase stress and the potential for discrimination.Gender dysphoria, distress related to the incongruence between assigned sex at birth and gender identity, is associated with depression and anxiety. Gender dysphoria is experienced by some trans and gender-diverse individuals, but not all. Being able to access gender-affirming care can help with dysphoria, depression, and anxiety and increase mental well-being,\u00a0according to a 2018 study. However, even after receiving gender-affirming care, some people who are trans and gender-diverse may still have an increased risk of depression.Protecting Your Mental HealthYou can take steps to look after your mental well-being.Build a social support community.One of the strongest positive factors for mental health is feeling socially connected to others,\u00a0according to a 2021 study. Another\u00a02020 study\u00a0found that social support reduced the depression symptoms that those who are transgender felt from microaggressions.Building a social support network means finding and building friendships with people who support and care about you and respect your identity. You can find support by reaching out to local organizations for trans and gender-diverse individuals. You can find a list of some local organizations and resources\u00a0here.Seek affirming care.Some people who are trans and gender-diverse may feel uncomfortable seeking health care because of\u00a0past negative experiences or discrimination. But it’s important to get care when you need it. You can take steps to find supportive and respectful health care that meets your needs.Use\u00a0local LGBTQIA+ resources\u00a0to find doctors who provide respectful, affirming care. For example, staff should ask patients their pronouns and chosen name. Doctors should feel comfortable giving you care at all stages of your transition.The\u00a0UPMC Children’s Gender and Sexual Development Program\u00a0provides resources and more information about gender-affirming care.Learn more about\u00a0UPMC Resources for LBGTQIA+\u00a0patients and caregivers.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on September 2, 2021, and was last reviewed on February 7, 2023.SourcesA community-based study of demographics, medical and psychiatric conditions, and gender dysphoria\/incongruence treatment in transgender\/gender diverse individuals. Biology of Sex Differences. October 6, 2021. LinkAssociations Between Transgender Identity, Sleep, Mental Health and Suicidality Among a North American Cohort of College Students. Nature and Science of Sleep. March 16, 2021. LinkEnacted HIV-Related Stigma's Association with Anxiety & Depression Among People Living with HIV (PLWH) in Florida. AIDS and Behavior. Link GLAAD Media Reference Guide - In Focus: Covering the Transgender Community. GLAAD. LinkGuidelines for Care of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Patients. Gay & Lesbian Medical Association. Mental Health and Life Satisfaction on Chilean Gay Men and Lesbian Women: The Role of Perceived Sexual Stigma, Internalized Homophobia, and Community Connectedness. Journal of Homosexuality. LinkMental Health and Substance Use Diagnoses and Treatment Disparities by Sexual Orientation and Gender in a Community Health Center Sample. LGBT Health. May-June 2021. LinkNegative Healthcare Experiences, Healthcare-Seeking Behavior, and Mental Health in Tampa Bay Area Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Individuals. Southern Medical Journal. June 2021. LinkQuality of Life in Transitioned Trans Persons: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Cohort Study. BioMed Research International. April 12, 2018. LinkRelationship of Internalized Transnegativity and Protective Factors With Depression, Anxiety, Non-suicidal Self-Injury and Suicidal Tendency in Trans Populations: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry. May 20, 2021. Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2021","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Depression and Anxiety in The Transgender Community","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/09\/depression-transgender-community\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]