According to the Mayo Clinic, stress definitely has a relationship to hair loss. There are three primary areas of hair loss that are associated with exceptionally high levels of stress. These include:
- Telogen Effluvium
- Trichotillomania
- Alopecia Areata
Telogen Effluvium
This particular family of stress-related hair loss essentially makes it so that hair stops growing–the hair goes into what the Mayo Clinic describes as a “resting” phase. A few months “resting”, and the hairs could very suddenly fall out.
Men or women under extreme stress may find that suddenly, while they’re combing their hair, follicles will simply fall out. In the shower, running fingers through hair, or in the presence of a swift breeze, whole swathes of hair can be simply whisked away.
Trichotillomania
This is a hair loss issue that has a psychological component behind it. What will happen is those who are suffering from trichotillomania will themselves pull out their hair. Have you ever been sitting on grass, and found yourself idly pulling fronds from the ground? This issue is more commonly seen in children than adults.
Trichotillomania is about the same. Those who suffer from it have this sometimes subconscious, usually irresistible urge to rip out their own hair. Men and women suffer from this. It’s not just hair on the head that is targeted, either. Eyebrow hair may be pulled out, scalp hair, facial hair, or even hair in other regions of the body.
Some medical practitioners have described this as a sort of defense mechanism that adults suffering from it use to handle feelings which make them uncomfortable. Generalized tension, boredom, anger, stress, or depression can manifest this condition. Strangely, humans aren’t the only ones to suffer from it; the same phenomenon can be seen in birds, and is similarly associated with anxiety.
Alopecia Areata
Multiple things can contribute to what’s known as Alopecia Areata. There are genetic factors associated with the condition. Essentially, here’s what ends up happening: your immune system begins to consider hair follicles as an “enemy” to your body’s health. Accordingly, the immune system attacks them. The end result is hair loss.
Stress can manifest this, so can genetic factors. But there’s good news for this condition specifically, in that a variety of treatments which have been shown to have some level of real success exist. Generally, those suffering from Alopecia will see hair fall out in isolated segments of their head, often about the size of a half dollar. Sometimes the entire body is affected.
Contending With Hair Loss
Stress-related hair loss can be reversed if you recognize the problem and address whatever factors in your life are causing it. Stress itself is the villain in the story of life. Our bodies have something called telomerase in our DNA. This element acts like tape at the end of a shoestring. As tape is lost on the shoestring, the shoestring unravels.
As telomerase is lost through stress, your DNA unravels, and you age. Reducing stress will reduce how swiftly your body ages. A key sign that you’re too stressed is hair loss. While there are many treatments available for hair loss, if you’re dealing with stress, finding ways of eliminating it can be one of your very best options.
So don’t lose hope about hair loss if you find clumps coming out in the shower, or patches falling from your head. There could be factors you have control over which may help you preserve your hair.
If you find yourself suffering from hair loss, schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph Williams.
