Editing Lesbian (section)

=== Mental ===
Since medical literature began to describe homosexuality, it has often been approached from a view that sought to find an inherent psychopathology as the root cause, influenced by the theories of Sigmund Freud. Although he considered bisexuality inherent in all people and said that most have phases of homosexual attraction or experimentation, exclusive same-sex attraction he attributed to stunted development resulting from trauma or parental conflicts.<ref name="Edsall2003"/>{{rp|p=242}}{{efn|A 1966 survey of psychological literature on homosexuality began with Freud's 1924 theory that it is a fixation on the opposite sex parent. As Freud's views were the foundation of psychotherapy, further articles agreed with this, including one in 1951 that asserted that homosexuals are actually heterosexuals that play both gender roles, and homosexuals are attempting to perpetuate "infantile, incestuous fixation(s)" on relationships that are forbidden.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Zucker |first1=Luise J. |title=Mental health and homosexuality |journal=[[Journal of Sex Research]] |date=July 1966 |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=111–125 |doi=10.1080/00224496609550506}}</ref>}} Much literature on mental health and lesbians centered on their [[Clinical depression|depression]], [[substance abuse]], and [[suicide]]. Although these issues exist among lesbians, discussion about their causes shifted after homosexuality was removed from the ''[[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual]]'' in 1973. Instead, social ostracism, legal discrimination, internalization of negative stereotypes, and limited support structures indicate factors homosexuals face in Western societies that often adversely affect their mental health.<ref name="cochran">{{cite journal |last1=Cochran |first1=Susan D. |last2=Sullivan |first2=J. Greer |last3=Mays |first3=Vickie M. |title=Prevalence of mental disorders, psychological distress, and mental health services use among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States. |journal=[[Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology]] |date=2003 |volume=71 |issue=1 |pages=53–61 |doi=10.1037/0022-006x.71.1.53 |pmid=12602425 |pmc=4197971}}</ref>

Women who identify as lesbian report feeling significantly different and isolated during adolescence.<ref name="cochran" /><ref name="Schlager1998"/>{{rp|p=153}} These emotions have been cited as appearing on average at 15 years old in lesbians and 18 years old in women who identify as bisexual.<ref name="rust2">{{cite journal |last1=Rust |first1=Paula C. |title='Coming out' in the Age of Social Constructionism Sexual Identity Formation among Lesbian and Bisexual Women |journal=Gender & Society |date=March 1993 |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=50–77 |doi=10.1177/089124393007001004|s2cid=145206767 }}</ref> On the whole, women tend to work through developing a self-concept internally, or with other women with whom they are intimate. Women also limit who they divulge their sexual identities to, and more often see being lesbian as a choice, as opposed to gay men, who work more externally and see being gay as outside their control.<ref name="Schlager1998"/>{{rp|p=153}}

[[Anxiety disorder]]s and [[depression (mood)|depression]] are the most common mental health issues for women. Depression is reported among lesbians at a rate similar to heterosexual women,<ref name="Solarz1999"/>{{rp|p=69}} although [[generalized anxiety disorder]] is more likely to appear among lesbian and bisexual women than heterosexual women.<ref name="cochran" />{{efn|Lesbian and bisexual women are also more likely to report symptoms of multiple disorders that include major depression, panic disorder, alcohol and drug abuse.<ref>Cochran, ''et al.'', 2003.</ref>}} Depression is a more significant problem among women who feel they must hide their sexual orientation from friends and family, or experience compounded ethnic or religious discrimination, or endure relationship difficulties with no support system.<ref name="Schlager1998"/>{{rp|pp=157–158}} Men's shaping of women's sexuality has proven to have an effect on how lesbians see their own bodies. Studies have shown that heterosexual men and lesbians have different standards for what they consider attractive in women. Lesbians who view themselves with male standards of female beauty may experience lower self-esteem, [[eating disorder]]s, and higher incidence of depression.<ref name="haines">{{cite journal |last1=Haines |first1=Megan E. |last2=Erchull |first2=Mindy J. |last3=Liss |first3=Miriam |last4=Turner |first4=Dixie L. |last5=Nelson |first5=Jaclyn A. |last6=Ramsey |first6=Laura R. |last7=Hurt |first7=Molly M. |title=Predictors and Effects of Self-Objectification in Lesbians |journal=[[Psychology of Women Quarterly]] |date=2008 |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=181–187 |doi=10.1111/j.1471-6402.2008.00422.x |s2cid=145638302}}</ref> More than half the respondents to a 1994 survey of health issues in lesbians reported they had [[Suicidal ideation|suicidal thoughts]], and 18% had attempted suicide.<ref name="Solarz1999"/>{{rp|p=70}}

A population-based study completed by the National Alcohol Research Center found that women who identify as lesbian or bisexual are less likely to abstain from alcohol. Lesbians and bisexual women have a higher likelihood of reporting problems with alcohol, as well as not being satisfied with treatment for substance abuse programs.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Drabble |first1=Laurie |last2=Trocki |first2=Karen |title=Alcohol Consumption, Alcohol-Related Problems, and Other Substance Use Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women |journal=Journal of Lesbian Studies |date=2005 |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=19–30 |doi=10.1300/J155v09n03_03|pmid=17548282 |s2cid=27973277 }}</ref> Many lesbian communities are centered in bars, and drinking is an activity that correlates to community participation for lesbians and bisexual women.<ref name="Solarz1999"/>{{rp|p=81}}