HAIR LOSS AND MENTAL HEALTH: A BIDIRECTIONAL LINK WITH ANXIETY, SLEEP, AND QUALITY OF LIFE
Main Article Content
Abstract
This review explores the impact of hair loss on anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, and quality of life. Common types of hair loss such as androgenetic alopecia (AGA), alopecia areata (AA), and telogen effluvium (TE) are identified as having negative effects on psychological wellbeing and overall quality of life (QoL). Hair loss can lead to stress, anxiety, and in some cases, depression. In particular, changes in appearance due to hair loss often result in reduced selfconfidence, increased worry, feelings of inferiority, and heightened self-consciousness. This review analyzes the psychological burden of hair loss, including its impact on anxiety, sleep disorders, and QoL. Anxiety prevalence among hair loss patients ranges from 47% to 62%, depression from 38% to 56%, and sleep disturbances are common, with the average Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score at 5.51 ± 2.93. Demographic factors such as gender and age are closely related; women and patients with alopecia areata (AA) experience more severe psychological effects. The impact on QoL, measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), shows average scores of 4.4 ± 4.3, indicating a mild to moderate effect. Hair loss not only diminishes self-esteem but also contributes to a vicious cycle of stress, sleep loss, and psychological decline. This underscores the importance of comprehensive management, including psychological support and sleep quality improvement. Recommendations include integrating psychological and sleep assessments into clinical treatment to enhance QoL. Further research is needed to identify interaction factors and to develop holistic support protocols for patients. Beyond psychological effects, hair loss is also associated with sleep problems, as many patients suffer from insomnia and other sleep disorders. These conditions further exacerbate anxiety and depression, reinforcing the cycle between hair loss and mental health issues. Therefore, evaluating psychological factors and providing emotional support are essential in treating patients with hair loss to improve their overall quality of life.
Keywords
Hair loss, anxiety disorders, sleep disorder, quality of life
Article Details
References
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