May 18th, 2017 Written by a Staff Member of Hair Loss in Women
- Shame
- Anger
- Embarrassment
- Humiliation
- Disgrace
- Hate
- Disgust
- Fright
- Sadness
- Depression
- Worrying
- Frustration
- Feeling uncomfortable
- Dissatisfaction with body image
- Feeling of being older
- Sense of inadequacy
- Loss if self-confidence
- Unhappy about appearance
- Reduced worth
- Reduced social acceptance
- Feelings of helplessness
- Self-consciousness
- Social stress
- Powerlessness
The stress from losing your hair can compound the problem and led to more hair loss. You need to know how to cope with hair loss in a healthy way.
“How well you cope with looking at yourself in the mirror depends on your coping strategies, personality, self-esteem and the support around you,” says Jackie McKillop, Alopecia UK spokesperson and junior nursing sister at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. “It’s really important to try to promote positivity in your life.”
1. Look for a Solution for Your Hair Loss
The first step in regards to how to cope with hair loss is to talk to a doctor or dermatologist. A doctor or dermatologist can give you a proper diagnosis to find out what’s causing your hair loss. Once you know what you’re up against, you can take steps to regrow your hair, which can be empowering.
2. Find a Support Group
One of the best ways to cope with hair loss is to find a support group. With over 30 million women in the US suffering from hair loss, there are a lot of people who you can talk to about your situation that will understand. Some women find supporting other women helps them tremendously. And if you can’t find anything local, you may want to start your own group. It could be a monthly meeting over coffee where women discuss their hair loss.
3. Talk to Your Family and Friends
Another great way to cope with hair loss is to confide in your friends and family. Many women feel that they’re trying to hide a secret, which can add to the stress. Let your family and close friends know what you’re feeling, and how they can support you.
4. Find Support Online
An additional method to cope with hair loss is to find support groups online. If you’re not ready or interested in talking to other women face to face, going online might be a better option for you. A great option is the Women’s Hair Loss Project.
5. Find Ways to Cover
Another method of how to deal with the stress of Women’s Hair LossThere are many options for covering your hair loss with wigs, scarves, extensions, or products such as scalp concealer. And there are some women that feel liberated by shaving their hair.
6. Talk to a Therapist
If support groups aren’t enough, talk to a professional who may be able to give you clarity about exactly what part of your hair loss is bothering you, and give you strategies for dealing with it.
7. Find Ways to be Positive
Make a list of all the things you’re thankful in your life, and try to keep your hair loss in perspective.
8. Find Other Ways Make Yourself Feel Beautiful
This could be an opportunity for you to start working out, watching your diet, refreshing your wardrobe, or trying out a new haircut. Reinvent yourself.
This could also be an opportunity to look at your values. Michael Reed, MD, a New York University Medical Center dermatologist who specializes in female pattern hair loss, tells WebMD “Suddenly, hair becomes the most important part of their appearance and even their personality — it’s not only the first thing they notice about other women, it’s the only thing — and it can end up causing a great deal of anxiety.”
9. Talk to Your Hair Stylist
Your hair stylist may have some great ideas on how to make your hair look fuller and thicker. They deal with women’s hair loss all the time.
Do you have any coping strategies for the stress of losing your hair? Please share your ideas below.