Stress Related Hair Loss & How To Prevent It

There are times when stress can be good for you; like when it jumpstarts your system so that you’re stirred to action and you are able to resolve whatever it is that caused your stress in the first place. On the other hand though, stress can bring about a lot of nasty side-effects, like hypertension, a lowered immune system, and yes, hair loss due to stress.

The aftermath of severely physically or emotionally stressful situations, like surgery, a serious illness, or the loss of a very close loved one, can result in stress related hair loss. This particular condition is called “telogen effluvium,” and depending on the amount of stress a person’s body might have suffered, reversing stress related hair loss can take anywhere from six months to a year. Sometimes, even more.

What Kinds of Situations Can Cause Stress Related Hair Loss?

Having to deal with an annoying co-worker is an example of a stressful situation where a person has to call on personal reserves of patience and self-control, and it can certainly make a person want to pull out their hair, but it won’t necessarily make their hair fall out. It’s the really, <i>really</i> emotionally and mentally stressful situations, or situations full of physical stress, that make physical symptoms like hair loss show.

Examples of these kinds of situations would be a death in the family, combined with other factors like a very hectic schedule and a tense atmosphere at home and work. These can all add up and affect the body so that growing hairs get pushed into their “resting” phase, and the hair affected suddenly falls out a few months later.

Physical stressors, like surgery, pregnancy and miscarriage, and sudden and severe weight loss are also pretty common reasons for hair loss.

How Do We Prevent Stress Related Hair Loss?

The most obvious answer to this question would be to avoid sources of stress altogether. Of course, a person can’t really stay away stressful situations; stress is a part of life. The best course of action, really, is to try and manage stress effectively by doing what you need to do, and giving yourself the time and space to rest so that you get the chance to recover, even if it’s just a little.

If you feel emotionally, mentally or spiritually overwhelmed, try speaking with a professional who can offer you resources and advice about how to deal with your stress. If the source of your stress is medical, like if you’re pregnant, or find yourself suddenly thirty pounds lighter, just try to be gentle on your body so that it doesn’t have to work any harder than it already is.

What’s the Best Way to Deal With Hair Loss Due to Stress?

The first thing you’ll have to do; is to try not to worry about it too much. Worrying just makes things worse.

Of course, even though people are advised to chill out about these kinds of things, it doesn’t mean that you should just pretend that your stress related hair loss doesn’t exist. It’s still a really good idea to check with a dermatologist or doctor who is familiar with these kinds of situations. Hair loss due to stress can be a symptom of more serious conditions, like hormonal imbalances, iron deficiency or thyroid disorder. Even if it isn’t a professional will usually be able to offer you a way to stop or maybe even reverse your hair loss, so it really doesn’t hurt to try.