The Psychological Impact of Hair Loss – Part 2

Let’s take a closer look the depression, anxiety, social phobia and social anxiety disorder that can result from hair loss.

• Depression can lead to a feeling of low mood, lack of interest or pleasure in activities, loss of energy and sleep deprivation.
• Anxiety can cause excessive worry, a feeling of heightened tensionand difficulty coping emotionally. Such people may also complain of palpitations and sweating.
• Social phobia or avoidance behaviour follows on from the experience of anxiety symptoms, leading to social and possibly workplace avoidance.
• Social anxiety disorder is characterised by the fear of humiliation or being judged negatively in social situations as well as the avoidance of such social situations.

These symptoms can have a severe impact on an individual’s mental health and ability to work or study. Even everyday activities such as cooking or cleaning can be a struggle.

Anxiety and depression caused by hair loss can be treated using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and support groups as well as by medication such as antidepressants. If you are suffering from anxiety and/or depression, please tell you GP; they will give you a referral to a psychiatrist for specialized treatment. Anti-depressant medication can help you overcome your anxiety and depression and return to a normal life.

As part of our natural and holistic approach to hair loss treatment, we always recommend our clients to pay attention to their lifestyle and manage stress levels. We understand that psychological problems can be a contributing factor to hair loss and therefore people should either learn to manage daily stressors themselves or seek professional advice from a qualified practitioner.