Have you ever wondered if hair loss plays a part in your personal mental health? There are many options available for those who wish to counteract the impact of hair loss, such as reasonably priced options such as a hair transplant in Istanbul. If you are wondering with hair loss has any effect on your psychological health, here are some information on what impact it might have and what can be done. 

What evidence is there?

There is evidence confirming that hair loss can cause psychological damage! This is due to the emotional impact it has on the individual experiencing hair loss. It is a huge lifestyle change, from having hair to suddenly having none. IT can cause issues at work, social problems and can take its toll on your personal life. Once your appearance changes drastically, it can really cause you to have a lot of self-doubts, negative inwards feelings and dissociation of self. Women who suffer from higher rates of stress are over 10 times more likely to lose their hair than those who don’t report high levels of stress. This can be a huge issue, as those who are already suffering from stress-related issues have their feeling exacerbated by the loss of their hair. 

Compared to people who don’t lose their hair, people with hair loss have a much higher risk of psychiatric disorders. 

What issues arise due to hair loss? 

Psychiatric issues that can be experienced by people who experience hair loss can include:

• Major depressive episodes
• Anxiety disorders
• Agoraphobia
• Paranoid disorders

Depressive episodes 

The depressive elements experienced due to hair can include an intensely low mood, a loss of or lack of pleasure of in activities that were once enjoyed, and sleep insomnia. 

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders can result in excessive worrying, a loss of self and feeling out of control. With these heightened tensions, patients have been known to report heart palpations, sweating and panic attacks. Those who experience social anxiety disorders fear humiliation the most, sometimes caused by losing their hair. They do not wish to be judged negatively. 

Agoraphobia 

Agoraphobia is when people do not want to leave their homes. This is a condition often triggered by hair loss as they do not want to be seen by the outside world

Paranoid disorders

The sudden change in appearance due to hair loss can also result in paranoid disorders. People sometimes experience that they are being watched or stared at, a condition stemming from the fact that they have had a sudden change in appearance and feel extra self-conscious as a result. 

What can be done?

As aforementioned, hair transplant procedures are available to those who wish to reclaim their hair. If you are struggling emotionally, it is advisable that you seek professional psychological help. Finding coping strategies may be the key to overcoming the negative feelings attached to hair loss. 

As self-consciousness in relation to body issues is portrayed by the media, these issues become more prevalent. Seek help from an established medical organisation if you are experiencing any of the feelings mentioned above.

Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She is interested in mental health and well-being.