Hair loss due to stress, anxiety, and addictions.

Stress, anxiety and addictions (these symptoms associated with hair loss) are interconnected aspects of mental and emotional well-being that can significantly affect an individual’s life and their hair. Here’s a brief overview of each:

• Stress:
  • Stress is a natural response to challenging situations and can be either acute or chronic, releasing stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
  • Chronic stress can contribute to hair loss through a condition known as telogen effluvium. If not managed, can lead to various physical and mental health issues.
  • Telogen effluvium is characterized by a significant number of hair follicles entering the resting (telogen) phase prematurely, leading to hair shedding.
• Anxiety:
  • Anxiety involves excessive worry, fear, panic, and uneasiness about future events. While it can be a natural response to stress, its classification as an anxiety disorder occurs when it becomes chronic or disproportionate to the situation.
  • Similar to stress, chronic anxiety can contribute to hair loss through mechanisms like telogen effluvium.
  • Anxiety disorders may also lead to repetitive behaviors such as hair pulling (trichotillomania), which can result in localized hair loss
• Addictions:
  • Addictions involve a compulsive need for and use of a substance (such as drugs, alcohol, or tobacco) or engaging in a behavior (such as gambling), despite negative consequences, as a means to cope with stress, anxiety, or underlying emotional issues.
  • Addiction can affect overall health and nutrition, leading to hair loss. Additionally, certain addictive behaviors like compulsive hair pulling (trichotillomania) directly result in hair loss in affected areas.