Psychological Consequences of Chronic Hair Diseases

The document reviewed the psychological consequences of chronic hair diseases, highlighting that these effects depended on individual coping skills and personality traits. Hair loss significantly impacted quality of life, comparable to severe psoriasis, primarily through loss of self-confidence, especially in those with insecure attachment patterns. Psychiatric conditions like body dysmorphic syndrome and trichotillomania were noted. Androgenetic alopecia caused significant distress in women, while chemotherapy-induced alopecia altered self-concept and body image, often not reverting post-regrowth. Alopecia areata was linked to psychiatric comorbidities such as anxiety and depression, with stress and alexithymia playing roles. Family therapy was suggested to address underlying family conflicts and improve coping.