The Connection Between Stress, Anxiety, and Shedding in Hair Loss Journey
Stress has become a significant part of today’s busy lifestyle. Its effect is apparent in the various aspects of life. So, if you wonder if stress is behind your recent hair loss issues, you could be right.
Extensive research has deduced stress among the top causes of hair loss. Directly or indirectly, it acts as a reason for hair fall, making your hair brittle, nutrition-deficient, and prone to falling.
This blog discusses the connection between stress and hair loss. You will also dive deep into how stress can cause hair loss and tips on how to stop hair fall.
Exploring the Causes of Hair Loss
Like many other major and minor health concerns, there could be multiple causes of hair loss. Several causative factors can lead to noticeable and significant hair loss. Knowing the potential reasons could help eliminate them and restore your hair's health.
Common Hair Fall Reason
While stress is a significant factor, you could have other reasons for your hair falling out. Explore the list below to determine if any other factors contribute to your deteriorating hair health.
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Androgenetic Alopecia
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This condition refers to an individual’s genetic predisposition to hair loss and is passed from generation to generation. While men are more prone to this hair fall reason, it also affects women, albeit differently. It manifests as bald patches on the crown of the head in men, while women experience a widening hair part and diffused hair loss. If a close blood relative has genetic hair loss, you are likely to inherit it.
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Hormonal Factors
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Fluctuations in hormonal levels or high levels of certain hormones in the body are among the major causes of hair loss. This cause is more common in women during pregnancy and menopause. Thyroid disorders and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) also make you more prone to hair loss. Another hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is also a known trigger.
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Nutritional Deficiencies
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Proper nutrition also favours hair health, and the lack thereof can be among the top reasons for hair loss. Nutrients, including iron, vitamin D, zinc, biotin, and others, are essential to strengthen the hair strands and prevent shedding. The lack of these vital nutrients can trigger a stress response in your body wherein your hair does not receive these nutrients.
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Health Conditions
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Health conditions like scalp infections, autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata, and other illnesses can affect hair health.
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Medications and Treatment
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Medications used to treat illnesses including cancer, high blood pressure, heart conditions, and depression often cause hair fall as a side effect. Chemotherapy is especially known to lead to hair loss.
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Physical and Emotional Stress
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Stress can cause hair loss, be it acute or chronic. Physical stressors, such as surgery, illness, or significant weight loss, can shock the hair cycle, pushing hair into a premature shedding phase. Similarly, anxiety or depression can also impact hair health, triggering hair loss due to stress.
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Lifestyle Factors
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Lifestyle factors like diet, physical activity, and sleep patterns affect hair health. Hair care practices like overstyling, frequent heating tools, wearing tight hairstyles, and chemical treatments can ruin hair follicles and lead to breakage and hair loss.
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Environmental Factors
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Environmental factors, including pollutants, UV radiation, and exposure to harsh weather conditions, can weaken hair and scalp health, contributing to hair fall.
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Aging
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Sometimes, hair loss is natural. This is often observed as you age. Hair shedding is a key aspect of a healthy hair cycle and is normal within certain limits. This limit usually increases as you age due to several ageing factors. While you can control and slow it down, you cannot reverse it.
Even with knowing the reasons for hair loss, it can sometimes be difficult to determine which factor is triggering it in your case. Consulting with an expert in such situations can help you determine and address your hair fall triggers effectively. So, book a consultation call now to resolve your hair loss issues.
The Impact of Stress on Hair Health
Stress and hair loss are interconnected. Whether acute or chronic, emotional or physical, stress has a noticeable effect on hair health. This section discusses the various aspects of hair loss due to stress.
How Stress Can Cause Hair Loss
Stress can trigger specific mechanisms and/or block some essential processes in the body that directly or indirectly lead to hair loss. Three main forms of hair loss have been established to be associated with stress.
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Telogen Effluvium
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This is a natural stress response wherein your body enters the survival mode. Triggered by several factors, this condition causes your body to focus solely on the bodily functions vital for survival. Due to this, the hair follicles do not receive enough nutrition and oxygen and move into a premature resting phase. This causes them to fall off early on in their life cycle.
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Alopecia Areata
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It is a condition causing hair loss on the entire body. Severe stress is among the main known factors triggering this condition.
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Trichotillomania
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It is a condition characterised by a strong urge to pull out your hair. This can be a negative response to stress and the body’s way of dealing with unwelcome emotions and situations.
Anxiety and Hair Shedding
Anxiety often triggers the release of stress hormones such as cortisol, which disrupt the hair growth cycle and push hair follicles into the resting phase prematurely, causing increased shedding. It can also lead to poor diet, lack of sleep, hair-pulling, and worsening hair loss. This often leads to a continuous cycle where worry about hair loss increases stress, perpetuating the problem.
Chronic Stress and Long-Term Hair Loss
Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, disrupting the hair growth cycle and causing persistent shedding. It can also trigger genetic hair loss like androgenetic alopecia and lead to poor lifestyle habits, further impairing hair health.
How to Stop Hair Fall Due to Stress
Now that you know the causes of hair fall and the connection between stress and hair loss, you must wish to know the solution. This section discusses how to stop hair fall triggered by stress.
Effective Stress Management Techniques
Stress management is the most straightforward way to deal with stress-induced hair loss. This helps you end the vicious cycle of stress and hair loss and focus more on your hair health. Here are some effective stress management techniques:
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Mindfulness and Meditation
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Meditation is among the best ways to calm your mind, address your emotions, and let go of the stress clogging your mind. Start with smaller time frames and the technique most comfortable to you. Practice meditation daily, even for only five minutes a day. Allow yourself to get into the habit, and then move forward based on what method, timing, and technique work best for you.
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Regular Exercise
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Exercising freshens not only your body but your mind too. While it seems like an exhaustive activity, exercising is proven to relieve stress. Adopt whichever form of exercise suits you best, including gym workouts, cycling, jogging, pilates, ]zumba, or others. Maintaining an active lifestyle is also crucial here.
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Healthy Sleep Patterns
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When you sleep, your body heals itself. Therefore, proper sleep is crucial for overall health. Decide on a sleep schedule of about 6 to 8 hours daily and follow through. Sleeping during the night is the best timing as it aligns with your body’s natural clock.
Nutritional Support for Stress-Related Hair Loss
Proper nutrition is crucial for combating hair loss due to stress. Essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, D, and E, iron, zinc, and biotin support healthy hair growth and strengthen hair follicles. Adopt a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains to help you replenish these nutrients. You can also opt for supplements under medical guidance. Ensure adequate hydration and reduce caffeine and sugar intake to support your hair health further. Incorporating these nutritional strategies is a vital part of regulating hair fall.
Professional Treatments and Therapies
Homeopathic treatments offer a natural approach to managing stress-related hair loss. Remedies like Silicea, Natrum Muriaticum, and Phosphoric Acid commonly strengthen hair and promote growth. These treatments address the root cause of hair loss by balancing the body's constitution and reducing stress.
Homoeopathic treatments for hair loss have minimal side effects and take a broad approach. This includes personalised remedies and dietary recommendations tailored to individual needs. You can book a consultation call at Dr Batra's® Clinic for professional guidance and proven effective treatments to resolve your hair loss issues.
Coping with Hair Loss Anxiety
Coping with hair loss anxiety involves practical strategies and emotional support. By catering to the emotional and physical aspects, you can better manage anxiety and promote a positive outlook on hair health.
Psychological Support and Counseling
Psychological support and counselling can help you navigate your hair fall concerns more effectively. Therapists can help individuals develop coping strategies, such as cognitive-behavioural techniques, to manage stress and improve mental health.
Building a Support System
Surround yourself with understanding friends and family members. This provides emotional comfort and practical help. You can also join communities in person or online that offer shared experiences and advice from others facing similar challenges. A strong support system encourages resilience, reduces stress, and promotes a positive mindset, which can help you mitigate hair loss and improve your overall well-being.
Embracing Hair Changes
Your hair will naturally evolve, which is a normal part of life. You may observe changes in your hair's texture, thickness, and colour due to factors like ageing, health, and environmental influences. Accepting and loving these changes can reduce anxiety and boost your self-esteem. This also helps in regulating hair loss due to stress. By shifting your focus from what was to what is, you can appreciate the uniqueness of your evolving hair and maintain a positive self-image throughout your life's transitions.
Visit Dr Batra's® Clinic today to manage your hair loss and grow healthy hair!
