Our hair can make us stand out from others. It can be worn in unusual hair styles that make us unique. It can also help us appear handsome or beautiful to the opposite sex. Much of how we see ourselves it tied in with how our hair looks and how we wear it. When a person's hair begins to thin, it may result in psychological effects that can include fear, anger, depression and low self esteem.
Fear
One of the first psychological effects of thinning hair is fear. When it is first realized, thinning hair seems to strike people with a deep seated fear. For many people the idea of losing part or all of their hair is very disturbing. The fears seem to consist of thoughts about what other people will think about them. Some people fear of how they will look without hair and how personal or work relationships will be affected. The website for PAI Medical Group points out that people are often very concerned about how the opposite sex will see them. In addition, there is also a fear of how long the hair loss will last (such as with chemotherapy) or if it is going to be a permanent condition.
Anger
Anger is another common psychological effect at the onset of thinning hair. Some people feel cheated or robbed by the loss of their hair. They may seem to lose their temper easily or be easily set off by other family members or friends. Some people even become so angry that they may act out by fighting with other family members or friends. Many times, people who suffer from this type of anger have a great deal of difficulty accepting the hair loss at all. They may need psychiatric help to deal with the anger that they are feeling.
Depression
Depression is also a psychological effect that is seen during and after hair loss. People experiencing hair loss can become increasingly depressed as the change takes place. They may have difficulty going out into public and avoid social situations. They may refuse invitations from family and friends and isolate themselves all together. If depression levels are allowed to grow without any intervention, the person could run a risk of serious clinical depression and becoming suicidal. Depression should always be reported to a physician for further examination.
Low Self Esteem
When people experience hair loss, they often suffer from low self esteem. According to The International Society of Hair Restoration and Surgery, a woman is at particular risk for having low self esteem after hair loss. However, men can also be at risk and both women and men may have similar reactions. People may have difficulty being in social situations because of how they feel about themselves. They may worry about how they look, even if they have a wig or hair piece. They may become extremely self conscious and wonder if anyone will notice either their hair loss or the hair replacement method they are using.
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