Importance of Alexithymia on Anxiety and Depression in Alopecia Areata: A Cohort Study
November 2025
in “
Skin Health and Disease
”
New to Alopecia Areata? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This study found that patients with alopecia areata had a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and alexithymia compared to normative data, with alexithymia more common in those with earlier onset AA, lower education levels, and younger age. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
This cohort study involving 100 patients with alopecia areata (AA) found that 32% had alexithymia, which was linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression. Alexithymia was more prevalent in patients with an earlier onset of AA, younger age, and lower educational levels. The study revealed significant correlations between alexithymia and both depression (rho = 0.48) and anxiety (rho = 0.46), with depression and anxiety symptoms being 3–4 times higher than in the general population. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing alexithymia in therapeutic settings to improve mental health outcomes for AA patients, suggesting a holistic approach that integrates psychological support with dermatological care.
