The Psychological Effects of Hair Loss

Hair, though mildly useful for protecting our heads, has an important social and decorative role. Since Samson and Delilah were dating in biblical times, hair has symbolized strength, masculinity, and virility for men and beauty and fertility for women. This is borne out by the fact that every year people spend billions of dollars on shampoos, conditioners, styling agents, and treatments that claim to regrow hair. Hair is often the first thing you notice when meeting someone and it is usually the last thing you fuss with before a social event or business meeting. By changing its shape with a setting gel, its color with highlights, or its style with a new haircut, you are able to considerably alter your features and your appearance. No wonder why losing hair can cause stress and anxiety and affect a person's body image and self-esteem.

Even for people without hair loss the prospect of losing hair can be worrisome. A recent US survey conducted by Nourkrin (Lifes2good) looked at how any potential future thinning hair or hair loss would affect a woman's self-confidence - 50 percent of women said they would be more self-aware, 36 percent said they would be embarrassed, 24 percent said they would have a lack of confidence, and 19 percent said they would be totally devastated.


So, what are some of the potential psychological effects of hair loss?


Anxiety/Depression

Many people with hair loss become very anxious and depressed. Sometimes people experience feelings of despair (exasperation that their hair will not stop falling out), sadness, worry, apprehension, anger at their condition, and fear of going bald. In addition to becoming very stressed, some hair-loss sufferers develop panic attacks.


Lack of Self-Esteem

People with hair loss often become dissatisfied with their body image and view themselves differently than how they did before. Many feel embarrassed about losing their hair and looking unattractive to others - even their spouses and friends - because their hair is thinning. They also feel that other people are always looking at their thinning hair, making them feel even more uncomfortable about their appearance.