What is Alopecia? Causes and Psychological impacts

Alopecia is an autoimmune condition in which your hair falls out in clumps the size and shape of a quarter. The degree of hair loss varies from person to person. Some just lose it in a few places. Others suffer significant losses. Hair grows back in some cases, but then falls out again. In others, hair regrows permanently.

There are many reasons as to what causes alopecia. Here are some possible causes of alopecia

The most common kind of alopecia is androgenic alopecia, often known as male or female pattern baldness. It causes baldness and a receding hairline in men, and overall hair loss or a widening of the part in women. Androgenic alopecia is a hormonal and hereditary condition.

The thyroid is a gland in the neck that regulates hormones that affect metabolism. Alopecia can be caused by both a low and an overactive thyroid. If your hair loss is accompanied by the following symptoms, talk to your doctor about getting a thyroid test.

Telogen effluvium is a kind of alopecia characterized by excessive hair loss. Hair loss can occur suddenly or gradually over time. Telogen effluvium is caused by a variety of factors.

 Hair loss can also be caused by hormonal imbalances, particularly the dramatically shifting hormones that occur during pregnancy and childbirth. Hormone levels take longer to return to normal after pregnancy, so it's not uncommon for post-partum women to observe thinning hair or even patches of baldness.

Hair loss, frequently in the form of thinning hair — strands may break out in clumps — can occur when your body is subjected to severe physical stress, disrupting the regular cycle of hair development and resting. Any type of stress to the system, such as being in a serious accident, having surgery, getting burns, or becoming very unwell, can shock the hair follicles, causing up to 75% of your hair to come out, sometimes months later.

These are just a few of many reasons how one can get alopecia

Alopecia has little physical side effects, but it can cause psychological problems, such as excessive levels of worry and sadness. Medical therapy for the illness is ineffective, and inability to discover a solution can be exceedingly upsetting for individuals.

Alopecia can also cause sadness, anxiety, and social phobia in certain people. The link between alopecia and psychological repercussions might be difficult since alopecia can develop as a result of a stressful event and subsequently cause more anguish. In this field, just a little amount of study has been done.

Moreover, because alopecia is a disfiguring condition, it can cause concerns with self-esteem and identity. Hair loss, particularly in the eyelashes and brows, which serve to define a person's face, results in a completely different appearance. Hair loss may be interpreted as a failure to adhere to society's physical appearance norms, a circumstance that can make people stand out in their own eyes and in the eyes of others.

Alopecia areata isn't generally a significant medical disease, but it might leave you feeling anxious and depressed. There are support groups available to assist you in dealing with the psychological impacts of the illness.

Even if you lose all of your hair, it may regrow. If it doesn't, there are a variety of options for concealing hair loss and protecting your scalp.