Medication Use Among Sexual-Minority Populations for Self-Reported Feelings of Depression and Anxiety

The purpose of this study was to compare, by sexual-minority status, the prevalence of feelings of depression and anxiety as well as use of medication for these feelings.

Data on adults ages 18 years and older (N=79,542) came from the 2013-2017 National Health Interview Survey. The authors used descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression to compare, by sexual-minority status, the prevalence of depressive feelings, anxious feelings, and use of medication for these feelings.

Adults who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or other sexual minority exhibited greater odds of having frequent (defined as weekly or daily) feelings of depression and anxiety compared with their heterosexual peers. On average, adults who identified as a sexual minority were more likely than their heterosexual peers to take medication for depressive and anxious feelings. Meanwhile, among adults living with frequent anxiety, gay and lesbian adults were more likely than heterosexual adults to take medication for their anxious feelings.

Adults who identified as a sexual minority were more likely than heterosexual adults to self-report frequent feelings of depression and anxiety and to use medication for their symptoms. Public health initiatives should focus on mental health promotion and the prevention of depression and anxiety among sexual-minority populations, which may include establishing more welcoming and affirming environments. Mental health providers can also play critical roles in treating sexual-minority populations for depression and anxiety and in researching interventions that narrow mental health disparities related to sexual orientation.