Psychological Aspects of Hair Loss

Three years ago, a study titled "Psychological Aspects of Hair Loss" highlighted the significant psychological and psychiatric burden experienced by patients with dermatologic disorders, particularly those suffering from hair loss. The study emphasized the bidirectional relationship between hair loss and psychological or psychiatric conditions. For instance, hair loss could be a result of stress or anxiety relief rituals such as hair pulling. The study also noted the strong connection between alopecia areata (AA) and psychological factors. Stress was identified as a common cause of telogen effluvium (TE), a type of hair loss often triggered by major life events like mourning or divorce. Furthermore, the emotional burden of chemotherapy-induced alopecia was so significant that some patients opted for less effective treatments to avoid hair loss. The study concluded that hair loss could result from various causes, including preexisting psychological or psychiatric illnesses.