About

This blog focuses on anxiety disorders among sexual minority women and the mental health disparities seen between sexual minority and heterosexual women. Anxiety disorders are typically defined by intense worry and nervousness that is accompanied by physical symptoms, like stomach pain, nausea, and rapid heart rate (Shri, 2010). Sexual minority women have much higher rates of anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders than heterosexual women which highlights a need for research and specific treatment interventions (Cochran et al., 2003). These blog posts outline why sexual minority women have higher rates of anxiety mainly through minority stress theory. 

Other information directly addressing therapists can be found in this blog, including information on barriers to care endured by sexual minority women, how to make their practice more inclusive, and interventions tailored specifically to sexual minority women. Furthermore, information for the parents of sexual minority adolescents is included and focuses on the importance of support to promote their child’s well-being. Other areas covered in this blog are binegativity within and outside of the LGBTQ+ community and how this is associated with the higher rates of anxiety in bisexual women as well as how the treatment and stigma of sexual minority individuals differ in rural and southern U.S. states. 

Further research is needed, however, regarding integrating intersectionality into mental health interventions for sexual minority women. Finally, this blog concludes with helpful resources for sexual minority women, their support system, and mental health providers regarding mental health and anxiety disorders.