Depression and Hair Loss

There are several types of depression with many causes.

Types of Depression

• Major Depression
• Persistent Depressive Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Psychotic Depression
• Postpartum Depression
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
• ‘Situational’ Depression
• Atypical Depression

According to WebMd:

“It’s normal to feel down once in a while, but if you’re sad most of the time and it affects your daily life, you may have depression. It’s a condition you can treat with medicine, talking to a therapist, or changes to your lifestyle.

There are many different types of depression. Events in your life cause some, and chemical changes in your brain cause others.

Whatever the cause, your first step is to let your doctor know how you’re feeling. She may refer you to a mental health specialist to help figure out the type of depression you have. This diagnosis is important in deciding the right treatment for you.”

It makes sense that hair loss, whether it be as a result of a form of Alopecia, genetics or chemo therapy would and could cause some form of depression. After all, suddenly losing a part of your body is not a normal occurrence and certainly would change your view of yourself.

Unfortunately, some of the drugs often prescribed for the treatment of Depression can also cause hair loss so you may be between a rock and a hard place.

It will up to you and your doctor to decide what is best for you and how best to treat this condition but I am letting you know that the following drugs have been known to cause hair loss so that when you can be informed when you see a doctor and discuss treatment.

I have spoken before of some of the drugs that can cause hair loss when used to treat depression but I will list them again.

Once again, according to WebMD they are as follows:

• ntidepression drugs, including:
• Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride)
• Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Anafranil (clomipramine)
• Janimine (imipramine)
• Tofranil (imipramine)
• Tofranil PM (imipramine)
• Adapin (doxepin)
• Sinequan (doxepin)
• Surmontil (trimipramine)
• Pamelor (nortriptyline)
• Ventyl (nortriptyline)
• Elavin (amitriptyline)
• Endep (amitriptyline)
• Norpramin (desipramine)
• Pertofrane (desipramine)
• Vivactil (protriptyline hydrochloride)
• Asendin (amoxapine)
• Haldol ( haloperidol)

There may be some drugs with fewer side effects for the treatment of depression but it is best to discuss all types of treatment with a medical professional. It certainly won’t help you feel less sad if the drugs that you are being prescribed are making your hair loss situation worse so it is best to leave your treatment plan up to a medical professional. Ask about the side effects of all drugs in your treatment plan and be proactive.

There are other ways to treat hair loss and the hair restoration profession has many options for those of you who are suffering from any form of hair loss associated with depression or any other condition.
Be sure to include visiting a hair loss professional in your plan to treat your depression as well as a medical professional. Between the two options you have the best hope of not only feeling better but looking better too.