Depression is a condition wherein a person tends to lose interest in everything with an intense feeling of sadness. Such a condition can affect you mentally and physically. Depression is said to have links with hair loss too. However, there is no such study which proves the connection between the two, but the question still arises. Can depression cause hair loss? Well, unfortunately, yes, it is possible that factors relating to depression could have an impact on hair growth. Many doctors mention that depression can cause hair loss and make your hair thin.
Relation between Hair loss and Depression
A depressed individual might also have no appetite and suffer from headaches, fatigue and digestive problems. Not getting proper nutrients, lack of sleep, loss of energy, loss of interest in eating are some of the signs and symptoms of this disorder. Poor quality of sleep is responsible for hormonal imbalance which impacts your hair and poor quality of diet affects hair nutrition.
A severely depressed person has this tendency to abuse their hair. It is also observed that this disorder can compel a depressed person to fiddle or rip out the hair. It is a deadly disease which is similar to heart stroke and diabetes and can directly result in over activity in the hypothalamic, pituitary or adrenal glands causing baldness. Hormones, especially fluctuating estrogen levels can also cause the problem. Women are most likely to get depressed and lose hair after childbirth, during menopause and just before their periods.
Causes of hair loss due to depression
Many doctors believe that during depression a person is seen to be deficient in essential nutrients which are required for proper hair growth, as well as to maintain healthy hair. A person diagnosed with this disorder lacks presence of vital vitamins such B12, Vitamin A and minerals such as copper and magnesium. Copper and magnesium are required to keep hair follicles healthy and strong. Folic acid and Vitamin B12 is important for hair growth and emotional and mental balance. Deficiency of B12 can make your hair dry, frizzy and brittle. Your hair may lose its shine making it look lifeless.
According to studies, a person getting less than 1200 calories per day is prone to suffer from effluvium, which is a type of hair loss disorder. This can be proved, when a person gets calorie which is less than the specified amount stress level rises leading to rapid hair loss.
A person suffering from depression may also develop insomnia, which in simple terms refers to lack of sleep. This harms the body and makes it dysfunctional. The stress from trying to cope while always being too tired can also cause hair loss.
Surprisingly, the anti-depressant used to treat clinically depressed person is also one of the major reasons for hair loss. This type of hair loss is known as telogen effluvium, wherein you body is stressed due to poor nutrition, medication, illness or surgery. Hair fall out of this type causes hair follicles to the resting stage (telogen phase) prematurely. With the onset of this stage, a person may shed more hair on the entire scalp. Your goal is to get better, which will ideally help the hair loss, or at least help you deal with it better.
What you can do to prevent hair loss from depression?
Hair loss is a complicated disorder which requires immense evaluation to find a root cause for it. Many doctors believe that depression and chronic stress can alter hormone levels and play a vital role in hair loss. If you suffer from depression, apply simple techniques such as getting good amount of sleep, taking up a physical activity or hobby. However, it is always safe to seek help of an experienced medical professional to treat hair loss problem.
