Can Anxiety Cause Hair Loss and Can You Overcome It?

Anxiety is an increasingly common complaint in the UK. Recent figures released by the NHS shows that the number of outpatient appointments for those with anxiety disorders has quadrupled from 2008-2012 and surely this anxiety cause hair loss as well.

 Statistics from the NHS Information Centre reveal that almost 4% of the UK population, around 2.2 million, now suffers from some form of anxiety.

According to Charity Anxiety UK, GPs or psychiatrists refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) which lists the different categories of anxiety or mental disorder and the criteria used for diagnosing them. 

Since its introduction in 1952, it has been updated and expanded four times. Adults are now susceptible to twelve separate types of disorders ranging from phobias to obsessive compulsive behaviours.

The cause of increased anxiety is the subject of much speculation. Many psychotherapists believe that the rapid development of technology and the fact that we live in a 24/7 culture (where individuals can access e-mails or calls all day, every day) makes it harder to "switch off". This can cause physiological or psychological changes to the body and mind. 

Symptoms of anxiety include tension in muscles, severe headaches, increased heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing, dry mouth, hot flushes, feeling sick and hyperventilation. Broken sleep patterns, irritability, poor concentration, motor restlessness and hypervigilance are also common.

When stress or anxiety is present, blood flow moves to support the heart and muscles. As a result, other areas of the body are deprived of vital nutrients carried by the blood. The scalp is often a 'casualty' of stress. 

This means that the hair follicle - which relies on a steady supply of blood for healthy growth - weakens and growth does not occur or hair falls out. Stress-related hair loss is increasingly common in the UK and individuals experiencing hair loss can find themselves trapped in a vicious circle: heavy hair fall occurs; anxiety deepens; hair loss worsens and so on.

So what is the solution?  In the first instance, individuals should seek a GP's advice. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can address the hair loss problem. Thankfully, there are many different types of hair loss solutions available. 

If you are female and have very thin hair then real hair extensions might be a solution (once hair loss has ceased).  Hair extensions from a reputable supplier should be ethically-sourced and are often made from luxury, 100% European natural hair.

The benefit of real hair extensions is that they are colour-matched to your hair and can be applied instantly. The result is a full head of hair without the need for surgery or medication. Women with hair extensions often report a surge in confidence - which can help alleviate stress, restore a healthy flow of blood and help break the hair loss cycle. 

In the same way that there are countless ways to combat anxiety, there are countless approaches to fighting the illnesses that cause hair loss and resolving hair loss problems.

As one of the UK's largest hair advice clinics, we at A&A Studios can't emphasise that last point strongly enough - seek advice as soon as possible.

 We have a wide range of solutions from real hair extensions, human hair wigs, and even hair replacement. It's never too late to feel better and find a way to restore the appearance of your hair.