Divorce, stress and hair loss

hacked

OK, before a mod comes along and slaps a "don't ask for medical advice on the internet", this isn't a medical problem, and I'm more than capable of going to the doctor if I need to.

I've been under extreme stress this last year. My parents split up finally...and thats been very messy. My father is abusive. I was critically ill and in and out of hospital for months...I also ended up having to have surgery. I was on a lot of medication and a lot of anti biotics in particular. There were financial troubles, lack of sleep and trouble with neighbours...moving stresses, and then even ore stress when I couldn't afford to move! I'm also single mother to a toddler. All the fun!

Anyway, in the last week my hair started falling out! I mean, it seemed like normal hair loss, but in the space of a few days i noticed my hair was half as thick as it used to be, and it was suddenly dryer and lacklustre. This happeend to me when I was 17 too after a stressful event.

I just want to know if anyone else has experienced this before and give me some practical advice! How do you deal with the stress? What kinds of things do you do to destress? And if anyone has experienced this side effect of stress, what can i do for my poor hair?!

The different scenarios I'm in can't really be avoided, so there's no way of really eliminating the stress.

Thanks so much in advance!

Neyite

You sound like you are having a time of it. I am in a situation that is unavoidable, but also gets quite stressful, so while its not the extent that you have, I see where you are coming from.

I found Yoga to be a great stress relief but I would imagine that with a little one it would be hard to manage to get to a class for it, so maybe a good DVD that you could put on after babies bedtime? I used to listen to the Paul Mckenna hypnosis "eliminate stress" and found that I was calmer afterwards.

the other thing that occured to me is that after surgery and medication, our systems can take a bit of a battering so maybe a good tonic supplement. A friend after her second child was very fatigued and run down had a doctor recommend this :http://www.evergreen.ie/natures-plus-source-of-life-liquid-multivitamin/p-306059pd.aspx
and she found it very good - my partner also found it good. Though it does taste ick, its a good one.

Abi

Neyite wrote: »

the other thing that occured to me is that after surgery and medication, our systems can take a bit of a battering so maybe a good tonic supplement. A friend after her second child was very fatigued and run down had a doctor recommend this :http://www.evergreen.ie/natures-plus-source-of-life-liquid-multivitamin/p-306059pd.aspx
and she found it very good - my partner also found it good. Though it does taste ick, its a good one.

Exactly, I heard this before too, and I'd say it's likely in your case OP. Though I lose loads of hair during the summer - I molt or something, I'm leaving little furballs around the house!

I know you mightn't feel like it with the weather being so clammy, but try some muscle relaxing baths, and get a hairdresser to put a treatment in your hair, or buy one from the chemist so you can do it at home.

My sister swears by meditation, she says she gets a great sense of relief after it.

Rickey01

The main trigger of hair loss is stress and unhealthy lifestyle. If you want to fight hair loss then it is better to meet a psychologist and come out of the mental depression as that will surely help you to prevent hair loss in the long run and help you lead a healthy life.

Sleepy

I'm honestly not being funny with this suggestion: treat yourself to a new vibrator.

Orgasmic release is a huge stress reliever and in the absence of a partner when you're under such stress, you have to *ahem* take matters into your own hands.

Emme

Before this thread gets locked due to irrelevant suggestions (see above :rolleyes:) I would recommend that the OP goes to her GP and gets her thyroid levels checked. A malfunctioning thyroid gland can cause hair loss and stress can cause the thyroid to stop functioning properly.

That was the cause of hair loss with me on two occasions and it eventually grew back.

OP, you've had a really hard time, you need to look after yourself, eat properly and try to get some rest. And do go to your GP and get an overall checkup as well as getting your thyroid levels checked. Surgery can really take it out of you and leave you wrecked for months after.

neuro-praxis

A major stress reliever is the practice of self-care. Find a little time, if possible, every day, where you do something exactly for you and you alone. This could be reading a few chapters of a book, taking a nap or a walk, sitting by the sea for a bit, listening to a new album without distractions etc. Not time spent wasted or procrastinating or doing things for others. This really helps.

As for hair loss, try Udo's Oil. It will be in the fridge of your local chemist or health store. Eaten every day it really does help hair grow back thicker and in better shape.