Can anxiety cause hair loss?

Author: Roxanne Douglas  |  Last update: Sunday, June 15, 2025

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 do you treat anxiety hair loss?

If you're experiencing stress-related hair loss, consider the following 10 ways to boost regrowth and disguise weak spots:
  1. Understand the Symptoms. ...
  2. Don't Use Chemicals and Heat on Your Hair. ...
  3. Have a Healthy Diet. ...
  4. Regular Exercise. ...
  5. Use Gentle Hair Care Products. ...
  6. Massage Your Scalp. ...
  7. Seek Professional Help. ...
  8. Get Enough Sleep.

Will hair loss from anxiety grow back?

Stress is well known to cause hair loss. However, this hair loss is unlikely to be permanent and will grow back. The hair should start to grow back roughly 6 months after the stress has resolved. It is important to distinguish between physical and emotional stress when it comes to hair loss.

What does anxiety hair loss look like?

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.

How to fix hair loss due to stress?

How to Regain Hair Loss from Stress: 8 Effective Methods
  1. Eat a healthy diet. Eating a proper diet is healthy for your body and your hair. ...
  2. Take a Supplement. ...
  3. Try a Topical Treatment. ...
  4. Get Enough Sleep. ...
  5. Manage Stress. ...
  6. Boost Root Volume. ...
  7. Massage Your Scalp. ...
  8. Use a Hair Growth Shampoo.

Stress can cause hair loss: Here's what you can do to stop it

How to know if 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.

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.

Why am I suddenly losing so much hair?

Among the common causes are high fevers, childbirth, severe infections, severe chronic illness, severe psychological stress, major surgery or illnesses, over or under active thyroid gland, crash diets with inadequate protein, and a variety of medications.

How long does it take hair to grow back after stress?

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 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.

Is my hair thinning 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.

What is the best shampoo for hair loss?

Top shampoos for thinning hair, at a glance
  • Best Overall: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, $15.
  • Best for Thickening: Kérastase Densifique Thickening Shampoo, $44.
  • Best for Damaged Hair: Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo, $38.
  • Best for Volume: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo, $37.

Is hair loss due to anxiety reversible?

Stress and hair loss don't have to be permanent. And if you get your stress under control, your hair might grow back.

How do I stop hair anxiety?

Things you can try yourself
  1. squeeze a stress ball or something similar.
  2. form a ball with your fist and tighten the muscles in that arm.
  3. use a fidget toy.
  4. wear a bandana or a tight-fitting hat, such as a beanie.
  5. take a soothing bath to ease any stress or anxiety.
  6. practise deep breathing until the urge to pull goes away.

How long does anxiety hair loss last?

How long does stress hair loss last? Stress-related hair loss typically begins two to three months after a significant stressor or stressful event. Once feelings of stress are under control, hair shedding may continue for up to six months or, in some cases, continue for years.

How to stop worrying about hair loss?

Ways to cope with hair loss
  1. Join a support group. There are groups around the country where you can meet and socialise with other people with alopecia. ...
  2. Accept it. It's not easy, but try to come to terms with your hair loss. ...
  3. Talk about it. ...
  4. Cover up. ...
  5. Be patient. ...
  6. Avoid miracle cures.

Can biotin regrow hair?

Despite its popularity in the media and amongst consumers, biotin has no proven efficacy in hair and nail growth of healthy individuals. Only 1 study has shown decreased levels of biotin in healthy individuals, though this data was confounded by multiple factors, including patient history.

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.

What is the number 1 reason for hair loss?

Family history (heredity). The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging.

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.

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.

Can thin hair become thick again?

Yes, absolutely! Stress, excessive heat styling, age and even genetics can deplete your hair's thickness. Keeping your scalp and roots healthy is how you can promote the growth of thick hair. You can do the same by oiling regularly, refraining from wearing tight hairstyles and following a nourishing hair care routine.

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