Rev. of AGA Treat88　Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)

There is a type of hair loss directly triggered by stress and anxiety called "trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder)." This condition involves individuals pulling out their own hair. It can affect not only scalp hair but also eyebrows and eyelashes.

Trichotillomania can be either unconscious or conscious. Regardless, it is characterized by the difficulty in stopping the behavior once it starts. It is reported to be significantly more common in women.

Trichotillomania is more of a psychological issue than a scalp issue. If you suspect you have it, please consult a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. If there is no improvement, you might consider reaching out to the Japan Trichotillomania Association for support.

Hair loss has also been reported as a potential long-term effect of COVID-19 infection. Medically, there is no direct link between COVID-19 and hair loss. If hair loss occurs following a COVID-19 infection, it is likely due to the physical and psychological stress caused by the infection. Those who already showed signs of hair loss may experience a greater impact.

Stress can also contribute to the appearance of gray hair. In 2020, researchers at Harvard University conducted an experiment on mice that demonstrated this effect. The findings were published in the American scientific journal Nature. The study showed that excessive activation of the sympathetic nervous system due to stress leads to a large release of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine.

Norepinephrine excessively stimulates the pigment stem cells in the bulge area that give rise to melanocytes. This overactivity results in the depletion of these stem cells and melanocytes, ultimately disrupting melanin production and leading to an increase in gray hair. According to the researchers, melanocytes in stressed mice ceased all activity within days and never recovered.

There are historical anecdotes about sudden graying due to stress. For instance, Marie Antoinette is said to have turned white-haired overnight before her execution. Upon closer investigation, it appears she spent over a year in prison before her execution during the French Revolution. The fear and stress during this period likely accelerated her graying process, leading those who saw her dramatic change to mistakenly believe it happened overnight.

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