'Life's much easier': Coming out can lower stress, ease depression

• Posted by a hidden member.
  Log in to view his profile
  
  
  Jan 30, 2013 1:55 AM GMT

  Now, in a study released today in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, a team of psychologists and neurologists from McGill University and the University of Montreal has found that leading [a] double life affects physical and mental health. Gays, bisexuals and lesbians who disclosed their sexuality to family, friends and co-workers were psychologically healthier and had lower levels of a key stress-related hormone than those who were still “in the closet.”
  
  That finding could help explain a remarkable study published last year by a group of researchers from Columbia University in the American Journal of Public Health. They found that after Massachusetts enacted its same-sex marriage law in 2003, there was a significant drop in medical and mental health care visits -- and therefore costs – incurred by gay men.
  
  http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/29/16742307-lifes-much-easier-coming-out-can-lower-stress-ease-depression?lite

  QUOTE REPORT SPAM
• Posted by a hidden member.
  Log in to view his profile
  
  
  Jan 30, 2013 1:43 PM GMT

  It is true on my part. When I first accepted being gay (about a month ago), I didn't even think I was going to come out to my family until I was at least 21, if that. Then I started feeling like complete shit: I had insomnia, loss of appetite, depression, etc. At that point I was just so frustrated and I went to a counselor and once I told them that I was still "in the closet", I felt a little better. The next day, I came out to a couple close friends and the day after that I came out to my parents and my sisters. That night, I slept for 9 hours straight. Now I feel so much more motivated. I've been on this health kick for three weeks and still going strong; working out everyday and I've never felt better. It makes a huge difference.

  QUOTE REPORT SPAM
• Posted by a hidden member.
  Log in to view his profile
  
  
  Jan 30, 2013 2:01 PM GMT

  I've never been happier since I came out almost 18 years ago. And I wasn't even aware I was gay before that, so not consciously hiding it or playing the double life deception and lying to others that's mentioned in this article.
  
  Rather, I was having internal subconscious conflicts I didn't recognize at the time, which coming out resolved. And also miserable and unfulfilled, because I just didn't fit into the straight world very well, but I couldn't understand why. But as the article says, once I entered the gay world where I always belonged my productivity, and especially my creativity, really blossomed. As well as my social self-confidence taking a big leap.
  
  On the other hand, when I dated some closeted guys I was exposed to that double life that they were living. In deference to them, and to keep them dating me, I went along with that double life game, and it was awful. I can see why guys would feel liberated after coming out of the closet.
  
  My only proviso would be a practical one. To time your coming out to your best advantage, especially in terms of career. Little is gained if you lose everything else and are ruined. So yes, come out, but do so wisely and to your best advantage, not plunge in blindly without looking and planning first.

  QUOTE REPORT SPAM
• Posted by a hidden member.
  Log in to view his profile
  
  
  Jan 30, 2013 2:39 PM GMT

  FIle this under "No Shit", but only for the adult and financially-independent LGT.
  
  This is dangerous advice for younger LGT's, since it's well known what can happen to them when they come out to friends and family. Many end up beaten/bullied, labeled, rejected, homeless, and in extreme cases, dead.
  
  If that's the answer to lower stress and less depression, then I'd prefer to stay in the closet until I was capable of standing on my own two feet.

  QUOTE REPORT SPAM
• Posted by a hidden member.
  Log in to view his profile
  
  
  Jan 30, 2013 11:29 PM GMT

  credo saidFIle this under "No Shit", but only for the adult and financially-independent LGT.
  
  This is dangerous advice for younger LGT's, since it's well known what can happen to them when they come out to friends and family. Many end up beaten/bullied, labeled, rejected, homeless, and in extreme cases, dead.
  
  If that's the answer to lower stress and less depression, then I'd prefer to stay in the closet until I was capable of standing on my own two feet.

  ^this

  QUOTE REPORT SPAM
• Posted by a hidden member.
  Log in to view his profile
  
  
  Feb 10, 2013 6:34 PM GMT

  credo saidFIle this under "No Shit", but only for the adult and financially-independent LGT.
  
  This is dangerous advice for younger LGT's, since it's well known what can happen to them when they come out to friends and family. Many end up beaten/bullied, labeled, rejected, homeless, and in extreme cases, dead.
  
  If that's the answer to lower stress and less depression, then I'd prefer to stay in the closet until I was capable of standing on my own two feet.

  
  
  
  I had the exact same thought. I grew up in a Mormon family, and my life would have been MISERABLE had I come out in high school. It only gets better when you have the capacity to restructure your life; until then, life can be a lot safer in the closet.

  QUOTE REPORT SPAM