Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?

Stress-related hair loss is one of the many different types of hair loss that one could be experiencing.  When we go through traumatic, shocking life events, such as death of a loved one, divorce, abuse, or accidents, our bodies respond to this stress in negative ways. 

High levels of stress can trigger serious illnesses, emotional troubles, and hair loss.  Our hair is one of the first parts of our bodies that respond to stress.  The hair’s sensitivity to this stress causes it to dry out, look dull and lifeless, and sometimes fall out.    If you notice your hair has fallen out or become extremely thin as the result of stress, this means your body is very off balanced.  It is important to think about he reasons for the rise of stress in your life, and attempt to bring those stress levels down. 

“Telogen Effluvium” is the name of the condition for stress-related hair loss.  They say this type of sudden hair loss is common, due to the high stress levels in today’s society.  When hair follicles sense this rise in stress, they fall into a resting phase and stop growing too early.  The result is hair loss.  Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done as treatment for this type of hair loss.  Fortunately, this type of hair loss is also not typically a permanent condition.  Therefore, when stress levels are brought under control, hair should return to its normal growth cycles.