Gays in Antigay States Prone to Depression

Gays and lesbians who live in states that ban same-sex marriage -- such as Mississippi -- are more likely to suffer from alcoholism, mood disorders, or anxiety, according to a study by the American Public Health Association.

Researchers report that gay people who live in states prohibiting legal recognition for same-sex couples are 248.2% more likely to experience general anxiety than those in states without such bans. Residents of antigay states are also 41.9% more likely to suffer from alcoholism, 36.6% more likely to have a mood disorder, and 36.3% more likely to have psychiatric comorbidity, or simultaneous presence of two disorders.

The antigay policies do not seem to affect heterosexual people, the researchers noted.

The full study can be found in the American Journal of Public Health.