Can Depression Cause Hair Loss?
The link between depression and hair loss is a complicated one. While depression does not directly cause hair loss, it may trigger physiological changes that, in turn, have a negative impact on hair health and growth. Psychologically, people who are battling hair loss may also have feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety which are linked to elevated levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone which is known to disrupt the normal hair growth cycle. But there is more. Here’s how they’re connected and what you can do.
Depression and Hair Loss
The connection between depression and hair loss is often a vicious cycle. Hair loss can feel like a loss of identity, especially if it’s sudden or severe. For many, it’s not just about appearance. It’s about the emotions tied to it, like confidence, self-worth, and feeling “like yourself.” This emotional impact can trigger or worsen depression, creating a loop that’s hard to break.
For example, imagine someone who has recently experienced a major life stressor, such as a breakup or job loss, and begins to notice thinning hair. This visible reminder of their stress can intensify feelings of anxiety or sadness. They might avoid social situations out of fear of judgment, further isolating themselves and deepening their depression.
On the other hand, someone already battling depression might struggle with maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Poor nutrition, disrupted sleep, and lack of self-care, which are all common during depressive episodes, can contribute to hair loss. Watching their hair fall out can feel like yet another thing they’ve “lost control” over, compounding their emotional distress.
The psychological effects of hair loss can also vary based on personal circumstances. A young person dealing with early-onset hair thinning might feel embarrassed or out of place among their peers. A new Mom experiencing postpartum hair loss may feel like they’re losing a part of themselves during an already vulnerable time. The common link here is prolonged stress and anxiety which indirectly contribute to hair loss through the physiological changes caused by a cascade of increased cortisol – the “stress hormone” which has a negative impact on your general health and specifically your hair health and growth. Chronically high cortisol levels disrupt the hair growth cycle, pushing hair follicles prematurely into the telogen [resting] phase as well as causing systemic inflammation which damages and weakens hair follicles. In times of high stress or anxiety, the body reacts with “fight or flight” responses in an attempt to help or heal the body. Blood flow is redirected from non-essential systems like hair follicles to vital organs and functions. Hair follicles rely on a steady blood flow to the scalp for the oxygen and nutrients needed for cellular activity and regeneration.
Hair Loss Types Linked to Depression
Depression can affect hair loss in several ways, and specific types of hair loss are closely tied to emotional stress.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is the most common stress-related hair loss condition. Severe trauma, illness or prolonged stress elevate cortisol levels. Cortisol plays a vital role in regulating metabolism and blood sugar levels, controlling blood pressure, reducing inflammation and influencing those all-important sleep and wake cycles. It is a good hormone until it becomes elevated over a long period of time. And then it is disruptive and harmful.
The body’s common response to prolonged depression, stress, or emotional trauma is increased levels of stress hormones present in your body which begin to disrupt the hair growth cycle, causing the hair follicles to enter the resting or telogen phase of the hair growth cycle earlier than usual. After a few months, hair begins to shed more than normal, often leading to noticeable thinning. Telogen effluvium is usually temporary and reversible once the underlying stress is managed. This may require a series of lifestyle changes of improving your diet, exercising more, adding yoga, stretching, breath work, or meditation to your daily routine as well as any necessary medical intervention.
Alopecia Areata
Long-term depression or anxiety can trigger low-grade systemic inflammation. Inflammation has a negative impact on all internal systems and organs. The hair follicle is considered a mini-organ composed of sebaceous glands, arrector pili muscles and nerve endings which form a pilosebaceous unit, functioning as a small organ in the skin. Like every other organ, the hair follicle does not tolerate inflammation well. Persistent inflammation can damage the hair follicle and surrounding tissue causing conditions like hair alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks your own hair follicles. This condition often results in patchy hair loss on the scalp and other areas. It’s thought that severe emotional stress can worsen or even trigger alopecia areata episodes.
Trichotillomania
Depression can also manifest as compulsive behaviors like trichotillomania, where individuals repeatedly pull out their hair as a way to cope with stress or anxiety. This leads to uneven hair loss, particularly on the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Unlike other types of hair loss, this condition often requires psychological and behavioral therapy for treatment.
Treatment for Depression Due to Hair Loss
If hair loss is affecting your mental well-being, start by seeking professional help. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help you process emotions and rebuild confidence. Joining support groups or online communities can also help tackle the emotional impacts of hair loss.
At the same time, consulting with a hair loss doctor about hair restoration treatments like oral medications, topicals, laser therapy, or hair transplants can help you restore not just your hair, but also your confidence. Many times having an action plan to begin addressing the hair shedding and loss helps with reducing the stress levels or the feeling of helplessness.
Stop Hair Loss with Nonsurgical Treatments
Nonsurgical treatments for hair loss are a great option if you want effective results without downtime. These treatments are safe, minimally invasive, and can help you maintain or even regrow hair without surgery.
They’re especially helpful for those experiencing early-stage hair loss or stress-related thinning. These treatments can be used on their own, combined with other nonsurgical options, or paired with a hair transplant for faster healing and better results. The first signs of hair loss slowing down and experiencing signs of vitality and hair regrowth, comes as a great relief to those who are increasingly stressed about their hair loss. Seeing positive changes in hair health reduces stress levels, creating a feedback loop where the relief from worrying about hair loss helps cortisol levels return to normal, just as stress and anxiety once compounded the damage.
At Ziering Medical, we offer the following nonsurgical options:
Hair Loss Medications
Prescription treatments like ZPro (finasteride), oral minoxidil, and dutasteride, along with medical-grade topicals such as Formula ZFin and Formula ZMin, are clinically proven to stop hair loss and encourage regrowth.
Results typically start appearing after 4–6 months of consistent use, but last as long as you continue the treatment. These options require a consultation with a Ziering hair restoration specialist to determine the best treatment plan for your needs.
Z-Factors
Z-Factors is a topical treatment enriched with hair growth factors, cytokines, and other supportive elements. Unlike PRP therapy, it doesn’t require blood draws or injections, making it a more convenient option.
This treatment works to slow hair follicle miniaturization, improve hair thickness, and enhance scalp health. It’s a quick, in-office procedure with no downtime, perfect for those looking for a hassle-free solution.
Laser Therapy
The Ziering Lasercap delivers low-level-light therapy (LLLT) at home or on the go and when it works for your personal schedule. This non-invasive, painless, treatment improves blood circulation, reduces inflammation, and stimulates cellular activity in the scalp to slow hair loss and encourage new growth. Wearing the Laser Cap 3 times per week for 30 minutes is the recommended use. Laser therapy can also be paired with oral or topical treatments to amplify your results.
When to Consider a Hair Transplant
A hair transplant might be the next step if nonsurgical treatments aren’t giving you the results you want or if your hair loss has progressed to a point where regrowth is unlikely without surgical intervention.
It’s typically recommended for individuals with significant hair thinning or balding areas, especially when there’s a stable donor area with healthy hair follicles.
You may be an ideal candidate for a hair transplant if:
- Your hair loss is stable.
- You have a healthy donor area with a sufficient amount of donor hair.
- You’re in good overall health.
- You have realistic expectations about the results.
- Hair loss has significantly impacted your confidence or daily life.
Choose NYC’s #1 Hair Restoration Clinic — Ziering Medical.
Athletes, celebrities, and professionals trust Ziering Medical to restore a natural hairline and a fuller head of hair. For over 20 years, Ziering Medical has been New York City’s #1 hair transplant clinic with thousands of successful hair restoration surgeries and 5-star patient care.
Call us or visit a Ziering Medical clinic near you to book a consultation. We serve patients all over the greater Tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut as well as the greater Southern California area from Los Angeles and Beverly Hills to Newport Beach and San Diego.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can depression cause hair thinning?
Depression, itself, does not cause hair thinning, rather what depression triggers physiologically with increased cortisol contributes to the hair thinning cycle. Poor nutrition and lack of self-care often associated with depression and anxiety also negatively impact hair and scalp health as well as hair growth cycles.
Can stress-related hair loss be reversed?
Yes, stress-related hair loss like telogen effluvium can often be reversed when the source of stress is addressed and with the right hair loss treatments. However, stress-related hair loss may unmask androgenic alopecia. That’s why consulting with a hair restoration expert is key.
How soon will I see results from nonsurgical treatments?
You’ll typically start to see results within 4–6 months, but starting early and consistently using prescribed treatments can help maximize your outcome.
Are hair transplants permanent?
Yes, transplanted hair is permanent and resistant to DHT, the hormone behind pattern hair loss. However, you might need additional treatments to manage the progressive nature of genetic hair loss.