Am I overthinking hair loss?

Author: Paris Weimann  |  Last update: Friday, September 5, 2025

While overthinking alone may not directly cause hair loss, the stress and anxiety associated with it can contribute to hair shedding over time. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, a balanced lifestyle, and seeking professional help when needed can reduce the impact on your hair health.

Does overthinking cause loss of hair?

Yes, stress and hair loss can be related. Three types of hair loss can be associated with high stress levels: Telogen effluvium. In telogen effluvium (TEL-o-jun uh-FLOO-vee-um), significant stress pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase.

How to deal with anxiety of hair loss?

Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), can be beneficial in managing the psychological stress of hair loss. Self-help strategies are easily accessible, and a mental health professional can provide additional tools and techniques to cope with negative feelings and enhance your self-esteem.

How do I tell if my hair loss is from stress?

With stress-related shedding, hair falls out evenly all over your scalp instead of in a defined pattern. You'll likely notice more hairs than usual coming out while shampooing, combing, or on your pillow, clothing, and bathroom floor.

Am I losing hair or am I paranoid?

So try not to stress out about a few individual strands of lost hair on your hair tie. If you're concerned that you're shedding more hair than this, or you've noticed substantial hair loss when you wash or brush your hair, you're probably not paranoid. This may be the first sign of sustained hair loss.

This is how stress affects hair loss

What can be mistaken for hair loss?

Some women experience thinning over the lateral scalp. Common conditions that mimic androgenetic alopecia include thyroid disease, iron deficiency anemia, and malnutrition.

How many hair losses per day is normal?

It's normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day. When the body sheds significantly more hairs every day, a person has excessive hair shedding. The medical term for this condition is telogen effluvium.

Can hair grow back after stress loss?

Telogen effluvium is a common type of hair loss that affects people after they experience severe stress or a change to their body. Symptoms include thinning hair, usually around the top of your head. Treatment exists to reverse hair loss, but hair will typically grow back in three to six months without treatment.

What does thyroid hair loss look like?

Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse.

How do I stop thinking about hair loss?

How to prevent and treat hair loss
  1. Care for your scalp. Decrease how many products you use on your hair and opt for gentle formulas.
  2. Prioritize overall health. ...
  3. Manage stress. ...
  4. Review your medications. ...
  5. Quit smoking. ...
  6. Protect your hair from UV damage. ...
  7. Change up your hairstyles.

Can hair grow back after thinning?

You might be able to reverse hair loss, or at least slow it. With some conditions, such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), hair may regrow without treatment within a year. Treatments for hair loss include medications and surgery.

How much hair loss is worrying?

It's normal to lose hair. We can lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing. Hair loss is not usually anything to be worried about, but occasionally it can be a sign of a medical condition. Some types of hair loss are permanent, like male and female pattern baldness.

Will hair loss due to poor diet grow back?

Malnutrition hair loss is reversible. You can opt for certain strategies to ensure optimal nutrient supply and revive the growth of your hair. However, before opting for anything, it's much more important to identify the cause behind hair loss during dieting.

What are sneaky signs you have a thyroid problem?

If you have changes in heart rate, energy level, skin and hair texture, bowel movements, and mood, there is a chance you have a thyroid condition. More than one out of ten people in the U.S. experiences thyroid issues, and women are more likely to have a thyroid condition than men.

Can low iron cause hair loss?

Low iron levels can lead to hair loss. Iron deficiency can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, which increases hair shedding and limits hair growth. Iron deficiency hair loss can be reversed if you get your iron levels back to normal. Oral iron supplements can help replenish your body's iron stores.

How to reverse hair loss due to thyroid?

Here are a few ways to reverse hair loss caused by thyroid conditions:
  1. Treating the underlying cause: ...
  2. Monitor iron and nutrient status: ...
  3. Regulate your stress: ...
  4. Eat a balanced diet: ...
  5. Avoid hair treatments or abuse: ...
  6. Take only those hair supplements that are prescribed by the doctor: ...
  7. Maintain a healthy lifestyle:

How do I know if my hair loss is from stress?

Physical or emotional stress may cause one half to three quarters of scalp hair to shed. This kind of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. Hair tends to come out in handfuls when you shampoo, comb, or run your hands through your hair. You may not notice this for weeks to months after the episode of stress.

Why is my hair so thin I can see my scalp?

A visible scalp through your hair can be a sign that it's thinning (but not always). The factors that contribute to thinning hair (and thus a visible scalp) include stress, diet, vitamin deficiency and ageing.

Is hair loss from lack of sleep reversible?

In many cases, yes. Hair loss related to temporary triggers like short-term stress or insufficient deep sleep can often be reversed once the underlying cause is treated and removed. The key is focusing on improving overall health habits, including getting enough restful sleep consistently. Your locks should recover.

How do I know if I'm losing too much hair?

It may be a sign that you're losing too much hair if: Increased shedding. Thinning or bald spots. Changes in hairline.

When I run my fingers through my hair it falls out?

It's perfectly normal to lose a few stray strands when running your fingers, or a comb, through your hair. But if you notice increased hair being pulled out when you are being gentle, this can be a cause of concern that you should get checked over.

What is a hair pull test?

This simple test measures the severity of hair loss. During a pull test, a dermatologist grasps small sections of hair, about 40 strands, from different parts of the scalp and gently tugs. If six or more strands fall out, you have what's known as active hair loss.

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