Psychological impacts of hair loss
Partial or total hair loss comes with far-reaching consequences on the image of the people with the condition. Alopecia not only affects how people view themselves but also how other people relate to those who have the condition.
The level of psychological impact people with alopecia go through will range from one person to the other depending on their self-esteem or how positively they view their condition. Below we take a closer look at some of the main psychological impacts and associations that a person can experience with this condition.
Hair Stereotyping
Many cultures consider long hair as a sign of health, youth and affluence. The absence of hair, therefore, is seen as an abnormality. These societal expectations carry within them connotations unattractiveness for those that simply don’t have hair.
Ladies can be more affected by hair loss than the men according to a study conducted by the Journal of the American Dermatology. For Ladies, hair is closely associated with beauty. When they lose their hair, their self-esteem drops, and it could spiral from there into stress and eventually depression
in the worst cases.
Psychological effects on men
For a long time, the relationship with man and hair has been taken as a sign of strength and courage. Some men have the feeling of unattractiveness when they experience hair loss. This condition, left unchecked, may quickly slide into psychological problems like anxiety.
Hair loss among the men may cost them chances at work, especially those working in organisations where visual appearance is involved. This can also apply to females aswell. Some studies reveal that employers can be reluctant to employ balding people as they appear older and incapable of delivering on the job. These experiences add to the myriad of public discriminations people with receding hairlines go through.
Some people regard hair loss as one indication of lack of control in their lives. This drives them into a state where they get concerned about their lives and choices. Just like most other health conditions, hair loss is very treatable and things can be done to minimise the effect. For example, in the case of chemotherapy, hair is bound to grow after completing the treatment. However, the desperation of being able to do nothing about hair loss makes hair loss patients lose confidence in their own appearance, therefore the short term picture can often be as difficult.
Anxiety in relationships and generally
The perception that people no longer regard one as attractive may lead to anxiety among those experiencing hair loss during the course of their lives.
Hair loss may make relationships fail as couples may see each other as growing old and becoming less attractive. These thoughts may bring about anxiety and depression and can be a further negative effect of hair loss.
Hair loss can bring anxiety and depression both in relationships and in life generally, but there is also an argument that depression and anxiety can also lead to hair loss (or at least problems.) This then leads to feelings of lack of control as we explored earlier, when can further perpetuate the problem.
The psychological impacts of suffering from hair loss are not to be ignored and can be equally suffered by both men and women. The best advice is to take as early action as possible for hair loss issues, but also any secondary psychological effects you may be suffering. This gives the best chance tackling the two things at once.
If you are worried by hair loss or would like some advice, use our contact page to find details of how to get in touch with us.
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