Mind the Hair
January 2012
in “
International Journal of Trichology
”
TLDR Psychological factors significantly affect hair health, suggesting a need for integrating mental health care in treating hair loss.
The editorial discusses the significant influence of psychological factors on hair health, suggesting the potential for a subspecialty called psychotrichology. It highlights that hair-pulling behaviors, such as trichotillomania, trichoteiromania, and trichotemnomania, may be responses to stress, expanding the field of psycho-trichology. Surprisingly, even pattern alopecia, known for its genetic and endocrine causes, has shown benefits from psychotherapy. The impact of hair loss on individuals varies greatly, from severe psychological distress to indifference. The author, Patrick Yesudian, emphasizes the importance for trichologists to consider the psychological background of patients with hair loss, echoing Plato's sentiment on the necessity of treating both the body and the soul, and in this context, the hair and the mind.