Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?
Yes, stress can make hair loss worse — and in some cases, it can directly trigger noticeable shedding. While occasional stress is normal, prolonged emotional or physical stress can disturb your hair growth cycle and lead to excessive hair fall. Let’s understand how it happens. How Stress Affects Hair Hair grows in cycles: growth (anagen), rest (telogen), and shedding (exogen). High stress levels can push a large number of hair follicles into the resting phase too early. This condition is called Telogen Effluvium . 1. Telogen Effluvium This is the most common type of stress-related hair loss. You may notice: Sudden hair shedding Hair coming out while washing or combing Thinning across the scalp It usually appears 2–3 months after a stressful event. 2. Alopecia Areata Severe stress can sometimes trigger this autoimmune condition, causing round bald patches. 3. Trichotillomania In extreme emotional distress, some individuals develop a habit of pulling out their...