The Psychology of Hair Loss Explained
In 1991, a Neolithic man was found frozen in a glacier near the Austrian-Italian border. The hair of this man, believed to have lived around 5300 BC, was neatly and perfectly cut. He obviously cared a lot about the way his hair looked.
The story of Samson and Delilah also tells. Samson had a supernatural power attached to his hair. Her strength was gone when Delilah gave a maid a haircut.
Hair has fascinated people since the beginning of time, and it’s natural to be worried if your hair is thinning. Specifically, hair loss can trigger masculinity issues. Many worry: won’t women find me attractive? Will I look too old to get that promotion at work? Will people see me as “over the hill”? and such. Hair loss, as you know, can and often evokes the feeling that life is ending. In this respect, baldness is associated with the approaching death rate.
We recommend this great article from Psychology Today: The Psychology Behind a Good Hair Day. If you’re a young man losing your hair, Dr. Read Harris’ blog post on the psychology of balding at a young age.
Let’s examine the different aspects of male hair loss psychology. How many of them have you personally experienced?
denial
Denial plays a role in almost every reaction and emotion a man feels about hair loss. Men want to deny everything, that their hair is falling out, that they find it distressing and that they cannot cope emotionally. Denial lurks behind every corner and overshadows even the most direct discussion. Recognizing and coping with self-deception denial is by far the most important and yet the most difficult part of the process of understanding the psychology of baldness. How can you find the truth if you start with a lie? Rejection interferes with an accurate assessment of baldness and realistic treatment options; and this can lead to poor treatment options. Why do you think about a billion dollars are spent on fake baldness treatments each year?
Humiliation
Many men complain that their hair loss is causing it to become a big joke among their friends. Many say they first noticed their hair falling out when their “best friend” announced it in the locker room, causing other men to look up and taunt. The bald man is already on the defensive because he is panicked and scared. He, too, is in a stalemate. If she reacts to the sarcasm in any way other than silent acceptance, she will be perceived as inferior to a man, which is exactly how she may feel because of her already thinning hair. So the best of your seemingly bad options is to accept being teased “like a man” without comment and start wearing a hat.
Jealousy
Typically, bald men experience jealousy as they desperately covet what their non-bald siblings have. This can be conscious or unconscious. Terry Bradshaw, famed seventies quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, acted as commentator for Super Bowl XXIII, while calling Denver Broncos’ John Elway quarterback as spoiled, overpaid, and overrated. Elway calmly replied that Bradshaw was just jealous because when he played Terry, the salaries were much lower.
Nine years passed and in 1998 John Elway and the Broncos played and won Super Bowl XXXII. Terry Bradshaw, who was also the event’s commentator, reluctantly admitted that he was jealous of Elway’s salary. . . and From Elway’s hair.
Feelings of Isolation
While most men with hair loss share the same feelings, ironically every man tends to feel completely alone. Please remember that you are immortality alone. Over the years, we’ve talked to thousands of men of all sizes, shapes, and colors about hair loss. They all have the same fears, desires and needs. Unfortunately, these men also felt constrained and isolated by social pressures that dictated that they should not display any emotion openly, let alone looks. Men often think that they need to be patient and strong because showing their emotions is considered weakness. Unfortunately, their efforts to appear strong only drive them away from each other. Conversely, women do not have such emotional restraints. They can express their feelings publicly and preserve their beauty in any way necessary.
If you’re tired of pretending that hair loss isn’t affecting you emotionally or psychologically, contact us to discuss your own personal reactions to hair loss or schedule a personalized appointment. consultation.