Although lesbians' are believed to be at greater risk for depression, very little is known about lesbians' lived experiences with depression from the perspective of the women themselves. Researchers have largely relied on quantitative methods to address lesbians' mental health and most studies have focused on prevalence, and risk factors for, depression.

In this inquiry, I used a qualitative research methodology to create a collective description of lesbians' experiences with, and management of, depression from the perspective of the study participants. Purposeful and theoretical sampling was used to select 20 self-identified lesbian participants who I interviewed in person using a semi-structured interview guide.

Through the use of thematic analysis, (Re)Positioning Difference was identified as the theme central to lesbians' experiences with depression. (Re)Positioning Difference reflects both a grieving and recovery process related to loss and describes how women in the study addressed the problem of difference and, consequently, resolved their experiences with depression.