LGBTQ+ Specific Trauma
Can you relate?
Societal Trauma
Trauma from Religion, Conversion Therapy, Rejection, and Social Isolation, is known to result in self-harm, substance use, anxiety, depression, and suicidality.
Developmental Trauma
As early as 2 or 3 years old, LGBTQ+ individuals are forced to conform to binary gender roles, ie - clothing, hairstyles, toys, mannerisms, bedroom decor, colors, music, movies - the list goes on and on.
Stifled Authenticity
You may feel unable to breathe, suffocating, restrained - the body has no other option than to produce a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response.
We Understand Trauma, Specific for LGBTQ Folx!
Before considering Trauma Therapy, one might explore what trauma looks like and how it has shown up in their own lives.
Questions may arise,
Does this apply to me?
How do I know if I've even experienced trauma?
This doesn't apply to me.
A word from our Program Director on Trauma Therapy
Healing Trauma for the LGBTQ+ Community
Before considering Trauma Therapy, one might explore what trauma looks like and how it has shown up in their own lives. Questions may arise, “Does this apply to me?” or “How do I know if I've even experienced trauma?” In addition to questions, folks might fear the idea of Trauma Therapy. For example, “I don't have trauma” or “this doesn't apply to me.”
However, in the LGBTQ+ community, trauma is interwoven into the very existence. Growing up in a cisgender / heteronormative society produces LGBTQ+ individuals who feel wrong, unloved, and devalued. Lack of visibility, limited vocabulary, minimal representation - these are the results of cis / heteronormative systems, as well as the causes of internalized transphobia and internalized homophobia. Forced to live a life of suppression and repression, while rejecting authenticity, causes great harm to one’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual existence. In other words, it’s traumatizing. Societal Trauma, such as Religion, Conversion Therapy, Rejection, and Social Isolation, is known to result in self-harm, substance use, anxiety, depression, and suicidality.
Developmental Trauma is another form of trauma which is highly prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community, specifically, the trans community. As early as 2 or 3 years old, LGBTQ+ individuals are forced to conform to binary gender roles, ie - clothing, hairstyles, toys, mannerisms, bedroom decor, colors, music, movies - the list goes on and on. When children present as gender non-conforming, society views it as - bad, wrong, or shameful. Parents might ask, “What’s wrong with my kid?” As a result, adults prevent this authentic, natural way of being. Parents mold and manipulate them into being alternate versions of themselves, forcing them into cis / het personas, all while inflicting trauma onto their authentic self. Obviously this experience has become so normalized that it may be difficult for folks to see this as trauma. However, when authenticity is stifled - unable to breathe, suffocating, restrained - the body has no other option than to produce a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response in that individual. Going through childhood in one, or many, of these states, hinders human connection - disrupting interpersonal development and social skills. It also disrupts the development of their prefrontal cortex, which typically has a big growth spurt between ages 5-8. As a result, their working memory, ability to plan, selective attention, and inhibition are compromised. Too often, it is during these stages of development, traumatized development, when LGBTQ+ young people are misdiagnosed with Intellectual Disabilities, ADD/ ADHD, Autism Spectrum, Bipolar, Schizoaffective Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).
After adding some context to LGBTQ+ specific trauma, it is important to discover what LGBTQ+ specific healing entails. The term authenticity is widely used in relation to humans and the need for truth and integrity. For LGBTQ+ folks, authenticity could mean the difference between life and death. After years of suppressed authenticity, it could take some time for folks to discover, and get to know their authentic selves. Establishing congruence with one's authentic self is the best way to get to know their authentic self, and looks different for each person. Congruence sounds like this: “I’m finally able to be myself” or “This is who I’ve always been.” Social Interventions are an essential part of becoming congruent. This includes correct names, correct pronouns, clothing, hairstyles, mannerisms - as well as being around affirming people. Families, partners, and loved who are affirming literally reduce the risk of suicide, depression, and anxiety for their loved ones. The research shows when using someone’s correct name and correct pronouns, it reduces suicidality by 56%. In addition, visibility and representation also contribute to social interventions. When LGBTQ+ folks see people and experiences which resemble their own, it reduces stigma and allows the authentic self to feel safe enough to exist. Here at Pride Detox, social interventions are the basic lifeline when it comes to healing from LGBTQ+ specific trauma. If you are curious or interested in learning more about the practical implementation of social interventions, feel free to reach out!
For some LGBTQ+ folks, social interventions have proven sufficient in establishing congruence, for others, Medical Interventions may be necessary, especially for trans folks. When discussing medical interventions, it’s important to note that it’s an individualized experience and is not the same for every trans person - we need to listen. Medical interventions are of utmost priority and must be utilized as soon as the person expresses the need. Medical interventions include HRT and Gender Confirmation Procedures. These interventions have been proven to reduce symptoms of being raised the wrong gender (trauma), ie - substance use, anger, disassociation, social isolation, self-harm, anxiety, psychosis, and depression. Medical interventions assists with establishing congruence. Congruence and Authenticity allow folks to live a life that feels accurate, exciting, and hopeful - a life worth living!
How can understanding the link between heterosexism and LGBTQ-related trauma help mental health professionals provide better care for LGBTQ+ individuals?
Understanding the relationship between heterosexism and the trauma experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals is crucial for mental health professionals striving to offer effective and empathetic care. Recognizing this link helps therapists identify the root causes of many mental health issues faced by LGBTQ+ clients. By being aware of how societal biases and discrimination contribute to psychological stress, professionals can develop more targeted therapeutic interventions.
This knowledge not only aids in treatment planning but also fosters a therapeutic environment where LGBTQ+ clients feel fully seen and understood. Creating such a space is vital for these individuals who might often feel marginalized or misunderstood in other aspects of their lives. Inclusivity in the therapy room encourages open communication, which is essential for successful outcomes in mental health treatment.
Moreover, when mental health practitioners actively work to counteract the effects of heterosexism, they contribute to broader social change. This can reduce the prevalence and impact of heterosexism outside the therapy context, benefiting the broader LGBTQ+ community. Thus, understanding and addressing the implications of heterosexism enhances both the individual therapeutic journey and the collective well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals.
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