Can Debt Problems Cause Hair Loss?

Ever since my husband’s business started having financial problems last year, I’ve noticed that his hair is getting thinner and his scalp is beginning to show through. Is it possible that stress is causing him to lose his hair?

The recent financial downturn has seen a lot of people suffering health problems due to the stress of mounting debts, according to a survey by the UK’s leading debt advice charity. The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) found that 46% of the 372 respondents believed that financial problems had affected their health, with symptoms including heart palpitations, hair loss and nervous breakdown.

Delroy Corinaldi, external affairs director at CCCS, said, “There is a lot of focus on the economic implications of the personal debt crisis but we are only starting to understand the human cost of debt problems.”

It is thought that stress causes hormonal changes in the body, which can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle. Hair follicles affected by these hormonal changes enter the resting phase of the cycle prematurely. During this period there is no new growth, but hair will continue to shed, causing it to become thinner over the whole head. This can affect both men and women, and is a separate condition from male pattern baldness, which manifests as a characteristic bald patch on the top of the head.

Stress-related hair loss may occur after a major life event such as divorce or surgery, or may develop gradually in response to an ongoing issue such as money worries. It can sometimes correct itself, particularly if the cause of the stress is removed, but it can also worsen, and in men can eventually lead to baldness. Tackling the source of the problem and learning stress management techniques such as meditation is clearly advisable; however, since hair loss can in itself increase anxiety levels, treatment to address it may also be beneficial.

The hair specialists at the Belgravia Centre are experienced at diagnosing and treating a wide range of hair loss conditions, including stress related hair thinning. Our comprehensive hair loss treatment programmes are based on clinically proven medications that stabilise hair loss and promote regrowth, along with various hair growth boosters and specialist aftercare. You can see how effective treatment can be by viewing some of our many success stories.

To book a free consultation with one of our specialists who can assess your individual hair condition, call 020 7730 6666 or send us a message with any enquiry you might have. Alternatively, complete the online diagnostic form and an advisor will be happy to recommend a personal home-use treatment course, available worldwide.