Understanding the Association Between Mental Health and Hair Loss

This literature review aims to analyze the association between mental health disorders and various types of hair loss, including telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and compulsive disorders such as trichotillomania. A comprehensive review of recent studies was conducted to explore the bidirectional relationship between psychiatric conditions and hair loss, with emphasis on neurobiological mechanisms and psychosocial consequences. Findings show that psychiatric disorders can contribute to or exacerbate hair loss, while hair loss may lead to psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphic disorder. Proposed mechanisms include immune dysfunction, neuroendocrine imbalance, microinflammation, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) depletion, gut-brain-skin axis dysregulation, and medication-induced disruptions in hair cycling. Furthermore, individuals with somatic symptom disorder may report hair loss in the absence of clinical findings, complicating diagnosis and care. This review concludes that an interdisciplinary treatment model integrating dermatological and psychiatric support is essential for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and overall patient well-being.