Is alopecia linked to depression?

Author: Mr. Rick Hammes DVM  |  Last update: Friday, May 30, 2025

A study published in 2022 reported that adults with alopecia areata were 30 to 38% more likely to be diagnosed with depression.

How do people cope with alopecia?

Reduce and manage stress

Many people find that stress can contribute to worsening alopecia. Making healthy living habits a priority can help to relieve stress. Manage your stress with daily exercise, yoga, or daily meditative practice. Get at least seven to eight hours of sleep a night.

Is exercise good for alopecia areata?

No association among alopecia and exercise frequency was observed in moderate-to-high intensity group. However, a tendency of increasing proportion of alopecia patients was observed in the low-intensity exercise group as exercise frequency increased (Fig.

What causes alopecia to flare up?

Fortunately, treatments can help regrow hair. Alopecia areata can be triggered by environmental factors like stress, injury, or illness.

What is the biggest cause of alopecia?

This type of baldness is not usually caused by a disease. It is related to aging, heredity, and changes in the hormone testosterone. Inherited, or pattern baldness, affects many more men than women. Male pattern baldness can occur at any time after puberty.

The Mental and Psychological Effects of Hair Loss | The Hair Loss Show

Is alopecia due to stress?

Stress is thought to be a trigger that can set off the symptoms of alopecia areata. People who experience patchy hair loss can often recall a stressful event a few weeks before they first started noticing the hair loss.

What should I avoid if I have alopecia?

Foods to Avoid When Treating Alopecia Areata and Hair Loss:
  • Sugar.
  • High Glycaemic Index (GI) Foods.
  • Alcohol.
  • Diet Soda.
  • Junk Food.
  • Fish with High Mercury Content.
  • Raw Egg Whites.

What is the fastest way to recover from alopecia?

There is no cure for alopecia areata—only treatment. In mild cases, hair usually grows back, sometimes on its own. However, if treatment is necessary, steroid injections and topical medications may be recommended.

Does caffeine help alopecia?

Research has also shown that caffeine can help block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone — a hormone that has been linked to hair follicle damage, which can lead to androgenetic alopecia, otherwise known as male or female-pattern hair loss, she says.

What does an alopecia sufferer lack?

Alopecia areata is a disease that happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss. Hair follicles are the structures in skin that form hair. While hair can be lost from any part of the body, alopecia areata usually affects the head and face.

What not to say to someone with alopecia?

5 Things You Should Never Say to Someone With Alopecia
  • 5 Things You Should Never Say to Someone With Alopecia. ...
  • 'Do You Have Cancer? ...
  • 'At Least You're Not Dying' ...
  • 'Is It Just So Much Easier to Get Ready Now? ...
  • 'You Should Wear a Wig! ...
  • 'My Friend Did Such-and-Such to Grow Their Hair Back!

What is the life expectancy of someone with alopecia?

People with the condition are usually healthy and have no other symptoms and a normal life expectancy.

Which antidepressants cause alopecia?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed antidepressants that are generally safer than alternatives but may produce a variety of cutaneous reactions including drug-induced alopecia which was reported with all available SSRIs (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine, escitalopram ...

What is hair depression?

The term "hair depression" highlights how mental health struggles impact self-care routines, particularly hair maintenance. As illustrated in the TikTok video by @astylefactor, many Black women face the dual challenges of navigating depression and managing hair that requires a high level of care.

What mental disorders cause hair loss?

Hair loss-related mental disorders can be broadly divided in to: Adjustment disorder , which may depend on the severity of hair loss, and personality disorder , which is psychopathological and may be hypochondriacal or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

What speeds up alopecia?

Hairstyles that pull the hair tightly (such as braids, hair extensions or tight ponytails). Haircare that may cause damage due to processing (including perms and bleach). Hormonal changes (such as pregnancy, childbirth or menopause). Medical treatment (such as chemotherapy and certain medications).

What can make alopecia worse?

Other factors can increase the likelihood of alopecia becoming worse, including stress and illnesses, which can cause a flare-up. Some people might notice that eating certain foods contributes to their hair loss. Physical damage to your hair or scalp can also make your alopecia more likely to worsen.

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.

What is the number one cause of alopecia?

Family history (heredity). The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging. This condition is called androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness.

How often should you wash your hair if you have alopecia?

The frequency of washing hair when experiencing hair loss varies, but it's generally advisable to maintain a clean scalp. Washing every 2-3 days is a good starting point, but consult with a hair specialist for personalised recommendations.

Which deficiency causes alopecia?

Alopecia areata (AA) occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Studies have shown a relationship between AA and low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D should be supplemented if levels are low.

How do you stop alopecia from progressing?

Can I Prevent Pattern Alopecia from Getting Worse?
  1. Avoid Unnecessary Hair or Scalp Trauma. This is one of the simplest ways to manage your alopecia and mitigate hair loss. ...
  2. Try to Reduce Stress. Unfortunately, stress can be a big factor in hair loss. ...
  3. Invest in Corticosteroid Treatment. ...
  4. Analyze Your Diet.

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 does stress hair loss look like?

No Visible Pattern. 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.

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