Tory MP, Nadine Dorries, has appeared on the television programme Daybreak this week, talking about the effect that alopecia is having on her mental and emotional health and wellbeing. The MP described the condition as a ‘confidence stealer’, and revealed how she cries every day and fears the condition becoming worse.
The MP also claimed that the condition has less of an effect on the wellness of men than it does on women, as she said that men and women react in different ways to the issue of going bald. Whilst it is quite socially acceptable for men to appear bald in public, for women it is a far more upsetting thing and there is far more stigma on the idea. The issue is often very difficult for women to talk about due to a high level of embarrassment.
There are several types of alopecia (Dorries isn’t quite sure what has caused hers). Androgenic alopecia is the standard way in which male and females go bald, whilst another type of alopecia is called traction alopecia, and is caused by undue pressure on the hair, such as it being tied up too tightly in a rigid hairstyle, or wrapped tightly in cloth, as is the custom in some countries.
Some types of alopecia, however, are linked to stress and these are known as anagen efflium, and, strangely, this is often caused by stress that has occurred around three months in the past, such as a recent bereavement, or a period of emotional stress, and also alopecia areata, where the hair falls out very quickly and in a circular pattern.
During recessions, alopecia tends to be on the increase due to the additional stresses and pressures of everyday life. More aggressive cases are also common during these times, where sufferers see around 20 – 30% hair loss, which is quite a high percentage.
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