Top 7 Psychological Effects of Hair Loss

Alopecia, or hair loss, is a fairly common condition. Although it’s more common in older people, anyone can get it, including kids.

The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that between 50 and 100 hairs fall out on average per day (AAD). Your head has roughly 100,000 hairs so that slight loss is not visible. In most cases, new hair grows to replace lost hair, although this isn’t always the case.

Hair loss can occur suddenly or gradually over many years. It could be either transient or permanent, depending on the underlying cause.

While hair loss may be a benign disorder with minimal to no physical side effects, its psychological effects can be devastating. Hair loss can ruin your self-expression and self-image, both of which are crucial components of your self-image.

Hair Loss Causes

Androgenetic alopecia, the most prevalent hair loss, follows a specific pattern. The hair loss at the temples and crown of the head creates an “M” shape characterized by a receding hairline.

Male-pattern baldness is a kind of alopecia that can affect anyone, but it is significantly more common in males than in women.

7 Psychological Consequences of Hair Loss

Here are the most common ways hair loss could affect the psychological state of people:

1. Social phobia

Most people’s greatest fear is being humiliated in front of others. It is impossible to avoid this altogether because it will unavoidably occur at some point. However, psychiatrists contend that being reduced because of something beyond one’s control is worse. Even when it comes from a child, people who are losing their hair will eventually come under ridicule. It generally happens to elderly, balding males. Being bald or losing hair still carries a shame in today’s society, suggesting that social and psychological attitudes and factors need further research.

2. Emotional strain

According to studies, acting insecurely might have a severe negative impact on one’s mental health. According to a report by the British Psychological Society that cites other academic research, 63% of males may find that their hair loss harms their work, compared to 40% of women who have hair problems and are also likely to have marital troubles. These are actual issues that affect real individuals.

3. Depression

People who lose their hair frequently feel like losing control of their lives. They become depressed because they are so anxious that they cannot change the status of their hair. They are perpetually anxious and depressed over the possibility of losing all of their hair.

4. Decline in confidence

People feel they have lost their appeal and beauty when they lose their hair. As a result, they continuously worry that their attractiveness to others might decline, and as a result, they isolate themselves from friendships and romantic connections. Studies have revealed that this alone has a profoundly detrimental impact on a person’s psychological health.

5. Low sense of self

A person’s look changes as a result of hair loss. People find it difficult to adjust to an abrupt change in appearance. Even though some people embrace the change, others frequently live in denial due to low or no self-worth. They eventually stop believing in themselves and often begin living in other people’s shadows.

6. Insecurity

People who lose their hair frequently experience self-consciousness about their looks. For example, they are continually concerned with whether those around them will accept them for who they are or if, once the hair loss is noticeable, they will become the target of jokes. Another thing that occurs is that they frequently compare their hair with those who are not losing it, consciously or unconsciously. As a result, it arouses feelings of negativity, envy, and guilt.

7. Focus deficit

When one is anxious about something, it is challenging to concentrate on getting something done or achieving anything. One isn’t at ease with themselves when they have hair loss. As a result, it becomes difficult for them to concentrate on their work or establish objectives, which causes them to fall short on easy or even everyday duties at their place of employment.

Conclusion

The most noticeable and striking physical feature is hair. It is crucial for a person’s healthy psychological growth from childhood to adulthood and even till death.