Are There Psychological Changes Associated with Hair Loss?
This is a very touchy subject for a lot of guys and it’s something that I’ve tried my hardest to approach in a way that is universally relatable for men, regardless of their background or their situation. This question, however, is one that can’t just be “answered” and then shoved off. No, the psychology behind the effects of hair loss is something that is uniquely complex and different for each person that experiences it.
Like all things, observation and scientific study has shown certain trends that were able to be identified and quantified. In particular, the most common psychological effects of hair loss (regardless of the cause, be it permanent or temporary) are:
- Lowered perception of self-importance – Many men associate hair with youth and strength. Some men experience little to no change in their hair at all, with their color remaining intact and their hair loss neither accelerating nor slowing down. Others experience a rapid increase in hair loss as they age, promoting the notion that hair is tied with youth.
Of course, nearly 60% of men will experience some kind of serious hair loss, so it is actually quite odd that such a negative stereotype (relating hair to youth) exists when the fact that so many men experience hair loss is considered. In reality, hair loss is simply a fact of life that many men will need to learn to accept.
- Lowered perception of capability – Having low self-esteem (and low self-worth as a result) will significantly reduce someone’s capabilities to work, play, and enjoy their life. Many men find that they become noticeably more depressed after they start to lose hair, and those that were able to recover their hair (either through the cessation of medication/illnesses or through use of a hair recovery products like “Propecia”) almost always seem to be happier and more secure with themselves.
However, in the interim it is not uncommon for a man to feel as if they are not capable of accomplishing things that they could take on. Sometimes this affects big decisions, such as the decision to pursue a new career or business venture, and other times it’s much smaller than that (a family photograph, for example).
- Dramatic increase in their sensitivity about their physical appearance – Many men that lose a substantial amount of hair become insecure and self-conscious, especially about their physical appearance. This is often shown by men not wanting to leave the home unless they have to or by men who avoid their friends and family at all cost.
Hair loss is a touchy subject because hair is something that is very universal: all men and women have it, and it can completely redefine the way someone looks. However, it’s even more important that the men affected by hair loss understand that it doesn’t change who they are, but rather one element of how they look.