Depression affects approximately 1 in 6 adults in the UK, with symptoms ranging from persistent feelings of sadness and loneliness to bodily experiences such as loss of appetite or irregular sleep.
Depending on your understanding of mental health disorders, you may be surprised to find out that depression can manifest physically and, in some cases, symptoms of depression can cause hair loss or thinning.
In this article, we will explore the physical symptoms and psychological conditions linked to depression that can cause hair to fall out, as well as offer our advice on what you can do if you believe your hair loss and depression are related.
Can Depression Cause Your Hair to Fall Out?
Despite depression being a mental health condition, many sufferers experience physical as well as emotional and psychological symptoms. Elevated stress and anxiety brought on by depression can result in hormonal changes, which can impact the hair growth cycle, while other psychological conditions commonly experienced alongside depression are directly responsible for causing hair loss and thinning. These conditions include:
Alopecia Areata: This autoimmune disease causes the immune system to mistakenly attack hair follicles, resulting in patches of bare scalp where hair is unable to grow. While this condition is typically genetic, alopecia areata can be triggered by elevated stress levels caused by depression.
Trichotillomania: This mental disorder is characterised by the compulsion to pull out your own hair, eyebrows or eyelashes. While the condition can manifest as a stress response, some individuals with trichotillomania are not conscious of their hair loss and are compelled to pull out their hair due to idle distraction.
Telogen Effluvium: This scalp disorder causes hair follicles to stop growing for around three months, known as the telogen phase. At the end of the phase, the inactive hair follicles shed, leaving bare patches of scalp as seen in alopecia. This condition is typically triggered by the high levels of stress experienced following physical or emotional trauma, making it one of the most common cases of hair loss caused by depression.
Symptoms of Depression that Can Cause Hair Loss
From elevated stress levels to the unfortunate side effects of antidepressants, there are many symptoms of depression that can cause hair loss, as well as other physical and emotional changes. The most common symptoms of depression that can cause your hair to fall out include:
Increased Stress: The most common culprit of hair loss or thinning caused by depression is the higher level of stress and anxiety experienced by people with mental health problems. Research published by the National Institutes of Health has linked the increased production of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol with disrupted hair growth and thinning, demonstrating the relationship between hair loss and depression.
Poor Diet: Healthy hair growth is stimulated by essential nutrients such as iron, protein and other vitamins that can only be gained by maintaining a balanced diet. As depression can cause loss of appetite or the compulsion to ‘comfort eat’ large quantities of unhealthy food, the resultant nutritional deficiencies or overabundance of vitamins can inhibit hair follicles, preventing them from producing new hair.
Poor Sleep: Much like chronic stress, not getting enough sleep can cause hormonal changes in the body that negatively impact the hair follicles.
Antidepressants: While uncommon, some medications for depression can cause hair thinning and loss in severe cases. Taking prescriptions such as Prozac and Zoloft can, unfortunately, result in hair thinning as a side effect. However, we would never recommend suspending your antidepressant intake, even if you suspect it may be impacting your hair growth.
How to Manage Hair Loss and Depression
Whether you think your antidepressants are responsible or you are struggling against your own compulsions, if you believe your depression is causing hair loss, it is important to speak to your GP as soon as possible. They will be able to perform examinations and blood tests to diagnose or rule out any conditions related to your depression that might be causing your hair to fall out, then discuss options for treatment or ways to prevent future hair loss.
Depending on which symptom of your depression is contributing to your hair loss, there are numerous strategies for hair loss management that you may discuss with your doctor. Some of these strategies include:
Treatments for Alopecia Areata: Although this condition cannot be cured, the British Association of Dermatologists lists many different treatment options to make your hair loss more manageable. It may be comforting to know that 4 out of 5 people with alopecia areata experience complete regrowth within a year of seeking medical treatment.
Treatments for Trichotillomania: Much like other compulsive disorders, it is possible to treat trichotillomania with cognitive behaviour therapy. This treatment usually involves replacing the habit of hair-pulling with a healthier habit in order to break the compulsion.
Treatments for Telogen Effluvium: As this disorder is aggravated by traumatic experiences, in some cases, it is possible to resolve the condition by removing any stressors that could be perpetuating the trauma.
Treatments for Stress: If your hair loss is caused by stress, your GP may be able to refer you to a counsellor who can address the underlying cause and begin to alleviate it.
Correcting a Poor Diet: If your depression is having an impact on your eating habits, your GP could provide you with the resources to create a meal plan that ensures you are having all your essential nutrients.
While depression can cause your hair to fall out, it is important to remember that many types of hair loss are only temporary and can be resolved with the right treatment. That being said, losing your hair for even a short period can have a lasting impact on your confidence, which is why Simply Wigs caters to customers at any stage in their hair loss journey. Whether you need advice on wearing a wig for the first time or you are determined to hold onto your fabulousness despite mental health challenges, you can browse our extensive collection of human hair and synthetic wigs, or get in touch for help finding your perfect fit!
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