Gay questioning youth are more likely to experience depressive symptoms from as young as age 10, and these symptoms persist at least into their early 20s.
Depressive symptoms increase at a higher rate through adolescence among LGBQ youth than for their heterosexual peers, and they are more likely to have self-harmed recently. LGBQ young people were found to be four times more likely to self-harm with suicidal intent than heterosexuals.
21 Gay Symptoms That You May Have
1. Do you always worry or fear an unwanted change in your sexual orientation? For instance: Fearing that you will become gay when you are straight.
2. Do you worry that you are attracted to members of the same sex, such as strangers, friends, or celebrities, when you currently identify as heterosexual? And vice versa for those who identify as homosexual.
3. Do you worry that you are NOT attracted to members of the opposite sex (if you’re straight) and that ‘that might mean’ that you are gay? And vice versa for those who identify as homosexual.
4. Do you worry that others may think you are the opposite sexual orientation from which you identify? For example, A straight man thinking “If my legs are crossed, do my guy friends think I’m gay?”
5. Have you ever checked your genitals for arousal after seeing someone of the same sex? And vice versa for those who identify as homosexual. For example: After viewing an arousing scene on TV, you worry that you were aroused by a character of the same sex even though you identify as straight. Or, you fear that you were not attracted ‘enough’ to an aspect of the opposite sex, also though you identify as straight.
6. Have you looked at same-sex pornography and worried about if you were aroused? Or have you viewed opposite sex pornography and afraid that you were not attracted/aroused enough?
7. Do you avoid watching TV or movies that contain homosexual characters? And vice versa for those who identify as homosexual.
8. Do you worry that you have hidden same-sex desires that you just haven’t acted upon yet? And vice versa for those who identify as homosexual.
9. Do you search the internet for answers about your sexuality? For Example, Googling “How do I know if I’m gay?” Have you read sexuality blogs online to find evidence of whether you may be gay? Or have you learn coming out stories looking for answers and reassurance of your sexual orientation.
10. Do you avoid sexual encounters because you worry that you may have thought about a member of the same sex? And vice versa for those who identify as homosexual.
11. Do you avoid sexual encounters out of a fear that you won’t be able to perform? For Example: Worrying that if you can’t get aroused by a woman that it might be evidence that you are gay?
12. Have you asked others for reassurance about your sexuality? For instance, always asking your friends if they think you’re gay when you’re straight.
13. Looking at attractive men or women, or pictures of them, or reading sexually oriented literature or pornography (hetero- or homosexual) to see if they are sexually exciting
14. Imagining themselves in sexual situations and then observing their reaction to them
15. Masturbating or having sex repeatedly to check their response to it. (This may also include visiting prostitutes in more extreme cases)
16. Seeing themselves for evidence of “looking”, talking, walking, dressing, or gesturing like someone who is either gay or straight.
17. Compulsively reviewing and analysing past interactions with other men or women to see if they have acted like a gay or straight person
18. Checking the reactions or conversations of others to determine whether or not they might have noticed them misbehaving, or if these people were giving the sufferer strange looks
19. Reading articles on the internet about how an individual can tell if they are gay or straight to see which group they might be most similar to
20. Reading stories by people who “came-out” to see if they can find any resemblance to their own experiences
21. Repeatedly questioning others or seeking reassurance about their sexuality
Conclusion
Don’t let the fear of homophobia or the stigma associated with homosexuality prevent you from seeking routine health care. Instead, take charge of your health.
Look for a doctor who puts you at ease. Identify yourself as gay or bisexual, and ask about routine screenings recommended for men in your age group — such as blood pressure and cholesterol measurements and screenings for prostate, testicular and colon cancers.
If you’re not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship, schedule regular screenings for sexually transmitted infections. Share any other health concerns you might have with your doctor as well. Early diagnosis and treatment help promote long-term health.
