Even though Tax Day moved this year, National Stress Awareness Day is still April 16 (it falls after Tax Filing Day because of the stress it causes). Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, finding ways to deal with stress is more important than ever.
Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?
Hair loss can have many causes, which is why a doctor’s consultation is essential. Stress can cause different types of hair loss.
Trichotillomania is the overwhelming urge to pull on or pull out hair. It’s a coping technique for some people suffering from anxiety or stress. The repeated hair pulling can damage hair follicles and even lead to scarring. It’s not limited to hair on the head either. Those dealing with trichotillomania might also pull out hair from other parts of their body such as eyebrows and limbs.
Telogen effluvium is when stress causes an unusually large number of hair follicles into the resting stage of the hair growth cycle. This form of stress-induced hair loss is the most likely to end when the cause of stress is alleviated, though due to hair growth cycles, it might take months for that to become apparent.
Alopecia areata is when the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss. A variety of reasons, including stress, can cause alopecia areata.
What Type of Stress Causes Hair Loss?
Emotional and mental stresses are the most common forms of stress that lead to hair loss. However, physical stress over a prolonged period of time can also be a culprit as can accidents and severe shocks.
How Do You Cope with Stress?
That is a key question for modern life, especially now with the stress of shelter-at-home orders and everything that comes from them. However, coping with stress is different than relieving it. Sometimes you’re in a stressful situation, such as in a work setting. You might not be able to eliminate it at that moment, so learning how to cope with it is essential.
According to Psychology Today, the first step is to understand what causes you stress and how you react to it. Sometimes people don’t even realize they’re under stress until a prolonged situation leads to other problems such as heartburn or insomnia.
Next, find a healthy way to manage stress. A technique such as pausing and taking a few deep breaths may help. Taking a walk during lunch might also help you cope with a stressful day. Just avoid unhealthy coping techniques like smoking, excessive drinking, overeating or hair pulling.
How Do You Relieve Stress?
A wide variety of stress-relieving methods exist, but the first one to consider is changing your stressful situation. Powerlessness and frustration are key factors in causing stress. Look for ways to alter your situation and minimize stress.
If the situation is out of your control – such as the current global pandemic – try stress-relieving techniques suggested by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Mental Health America, the Cleveland Clinic, WebMD, the Mayo Clinic, and Healthline such as:
- Meditation
- Visualizing a better outcome
- Exercise to burn off tension
- Talking to a friend
- Learning to be more flexible
- Yoga
- Getting more sleep
- Journaling
- Deep breathing exercises and much more
Discover the Cause for Your Hair Loss
Are you worried about thinning hair? Concerned you may be showing signs of male pattern baldness? Experiencing troubling hair loss and unsure why? Your questions and concerns can be addressed in a free consultation. AT RHRLI, our state-of-the-art facility uses the ARTAS® Robot for natural results and faster healing. You can visit us at our Long Island location in Jericho or at our midtown Manhattan office. Reach out and contact us today.