No one should have to hide who they truly are. Unfortunately, so many people within the LGBTQIA+ community feel like they have to keep their sexuality a secret for far too long.

Sound familiar? Maybe you’re worried about what your family or friends might think. Maybe you already know what they’ll think and fear being judged or “cast away” somehow. Society doesn’t often help, as we’re living in such uncertain times that can often seem filled with hate and anger.

However, the mental toll of hiding your sexuality can be extremely heavy and harmful. Keeping your true identity to yourself often has lasting repercussions and can trigger serious mental health issues.

Let’s take a closer look at how hiding your sexuality can impact your mental well-being and what you can do to cope.

Emotional Distress

Having to hide who you really are from the world can lead to a rollercoaster of emotions. At any given time, you might feel frustrated, sad, anxious, or even angry. Over time, you might even feel a sense of disconnection from the people in your lives. Not being able to be your authentic self around others can cause you to feel like your connection with people isn’t genuine.

Additionally, you can start to experience internalized shame. It’s possible to develop internal homophobic thoughts if you feel like you would be judged or treated poorly by others for coming out. Unfortunately, society still portrays negative stereotypes of those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Even if you know who you really are, buying into those stereotypes and stigmas can cause you to feel ashamed of your identity, especially when you don’t have anyone to talk to.

Low Self-Esteem

Those negative thoughts can quickly cause you to see yourself in a different light. Constantly hiding who you truly are will give you a negative self-view. Unfortunately, that can create a vicious cycle that’s hard to escape. The lower your self-esteem, the less likely it is that you’ll feel empowered to come forward with your sexuality. You might start to think you deserve judgment or to be cast out by those closest to you. This cycle will have an even greater impact on your mental health.

Increased Anxiety

Have you ever had a secret you weren’t supposed to tell anyone? It might feel exciting for a while. However, over time, it tends to create a lot of stress. You constantly worry about whether you’re going to slip up and share something you’re not supposed to.

Hiding your sexuality creates even more stress, because it’s a part of your identity. Any kind of masking or hiding will contribute to fear and worry. Add that to the fear of being judged or rejected, and anxiety can quickly become a huge problem.

How You Can Cope

So, what can you do if you’re struggling to open up about your sexuality?

Start by accepting yourself. Accepting who you are and who you want to be is essential before you confidently tell others. From there, open up to people who feel safe. That can include friends, family members, or even a sexuality therapist.  You can even try online therapy to connect with someone from the comfort of your own home. Knowing you have someone in your corner to support you can make a big difference.

Take baby steps as you step out into the world. Find safe spaces that allow you to be yourself. Engage in new hobbies and interests. Educate yourself on the sexual experiences of others. Most importantly, practice self-care every day. While you might feel isolated now, that doesn’t have to last forever.

If you’re ready to take the next steps to open up about your sexuality and take charge of your mental health, we’re here to help. Contact the office today for a consultation.