PTSD in men. However, this model is only preliminary and further research is needed. For more about gender differences in coping mechanisms, see the Coping (psychology) page. Coping mechanism among the LGBTQ+ community Each individual has its own way to deal with difficult emotions and situations. Oftentimes, the coping mechanism adopted by a person, depending on whether they are safe or risky, will impact their mental health. These coping mechanisms tend to be developed during youth and early-adult life. Once a risky coping mechanism is adopted, it is often hard for the individual to get rid of it. Safe coping-mechanisms, when it comes to mental disorders, involve communication with others, body and mental health caring, support and help seeking. Because of the high stigmatization they often experience in school, public spaces and society in general, the LGBTQ+ community, and more especially the young people among them are less likely to express themselves and seek for help and support, because of the lack of resources and safe spaces available for them to do so. As a result, LGBTQ+ patients are more likely to adopt risky coping mechanisms then the rest of the population. These risky mechanisms involve strategies such as self-harm, substance abuse, or risky sexual behavior for many reasons, including; "attempting to get away from or not feel overwhelming emotions, gaining a sense of control, self-punishment, nonverbally communicating their struggles to others." Once adopted, these coping mechanisms tend to stick to the person and therefore endanger even more the future mental health of LGBTQ+ patients, reinforcing their exposure to depression, extreme anxiety and suicide. See also Gender bias in psychological diagnosis Gender differences in coping Gender in individual mental disorders Sex differences in autism Sex differences in schizophrenia Healthcare and the LGBT community Minority stress References 94. Mental Disorders Further reading External links "Study Finds Sex Differences in Mental Illness", American Psychological Association Gender and society Mental disorders Women and psychology Sex differences in humans