Hair Has stopped growing. Anyone else have poor mental health induced hairloss?

[Stephanay]

I shaved my hair in April/May as it stopped growing and I saw patches after using what I think is an old relaxer.

My hair has grown but not as much as it should have by now as it's 8 months but the progress looks like 3 max.

I have gone through a series of life events and emotional trauma so maybe that is the cause.

I took advice from the ladies on here and went to see my GP/doctor to see if there's any underlying medical causes. My bloodwork came back great apart from severe Vitamin D deficiency. I'm getting treatment for that (supplements) but that Has nothing to do with my hair.

When I asked him what the problem is he said it's to do with my mental health. I have been recently been diagnosed as someone suffering from reactionary depression and I am soon to undertake counselling. He said I have "telogen effluvium"

However I'm not too sure this is the reason my hair has stopped growing. I think the problem lies with damage to my hair follicles in itself.

I am looking for a trichologist to see if anything is wrong with my scalp damage wise.

I have also changed my hair regime and currently using the LOC method. I have a water based spray with peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils a whipped butter cream that has organic shea and unrefined coconut oil jojoba and almond as well as wild growth hair oil and Jamaican black castor oil for my edges.

I want to start incorporating deep conditioning and egg protein treatments too.

I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you.

 

[havilland]

Both of those conditions you listed will cause your hair to suffer. Basically you are malnourished and stressed. Anxiety, improper nutrition..Etc. will DEFINITELY affect your hair growth

Follow drs orders for vitamin D supplements. . Up you fruits, veggies, water. Go to get treatment for the depression. And take good care of your hair. Seeing a dr regarding your hair isn't a bad idea either but don't be in denial about those diagnosis being the cause of your hair growth issues...they most certainly are major contributors if not the sole causes.

Good luck to u.

 

[learningandgrowing]

Vitamin D deficiency can definitely cause hair loss/ cause hair not to grow as quickly as it should. Good luck with everything

 

[felic1]

The above posts sound great. Do not give up on your treatments because you are having some health issues. Nutrition, water, supplements and great hair care will help pursue your hair's recovery!!

 

[ManeStreet]

Vitamin D deficiency and hair loss

According to research, a lack of vitamin D can actually cause hair loss. Vitamin D is found in healthy hair follicles, and is generally lacking in unhealthy follicles.

What does vitamin D do? Vitamin D does a lot of things, all of them good for the body. But, important to hair loss, vitamin D helps reduce stress and depression. Stress has been related to hair loss, and if you have lots of stress, reducing this is a good thing.

But beyond helping to reduce stress, vitamin D is a precursor to the hair growth cycle. In the liver, vitamin D is converted to calcidiol. This then gets converted by the kidneys to calcitriol, which is the form of vitamin D that is biologically active in the body. This in the body regulates cellular apoptosis (a cycle of cells that are programmed to die, such as in the formation of hair inside the follicle), which helps to regulate the cycle of the hair follicle.

Technically, it goes like this. The cycle of a hair follicle goes from

anagen (growing) to
catagen (receding) to
telogen (resting) phase.
This repeating cycle then starts back again at 1. There are vitamin D receptors in hair follicles. During that growing phase of the follicle, there are a lot of things going on. Many different processes are involved with growing a new hair from the follicle, and vitamin D plays a role. Those vitamin D receptors in the hair follicle have to be fed, particularly in the growing phase. This is why vitamin D deficiency and hair loss go together.

Studies have shown that inhibiting the vitamin D receptors in the follicle can actually cause alopecia (hair loss). If you were to deprive your body totally of vitamin D, you would not have one of the necessary building blocks essential to hair growth.

It is important to note that while a vitamin D deficiency can cause hair loss, the opposite is not necessarily true. An abundance of vitamin D is not going to cause hair growth by itself. Once a hair follicle is totally dead, it no longer goes through the cycle above. The hair follicle has to still be active for either vitamin D or even the laser to do anything to help. This is another reason it is important to stop hair loss early on.

Foods high in vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the very few vitamins that can be synthesized by your body. This means you can make your own - all you have to do is get some sunshine. Vitamin D is produced in your body naturally when you are in the sun.

But lets say you don't get out that often, and/or don't want to increase your sun exposure due to the other risks involved. There are food that are high in vitamin D. Many of the top contenders are seafood, which is healthy in other ways also. Foods high in vitamin D include

Salmon
Sardines
Herring
Mushrooms
Oysters
Eggs
Mushrooms
Mackerel
Tuna
Cod liver oil, not technically a food, but a supplement, is also very high in vitamin D. Remember that vitamin D won't cause hair to grow by itself, but can be a contributing factor if you have thinning hair. So it's good to be sure you have enough of this in your diet.

 

[greight]

I was able to change my hair growth through diet + collagen. I basically gave up refined carbs (bagels, rice, pasta, etc) and focused my attention on vegetables. 2x or 3x as much vegetables than fruits. I also take collagen pills which has helped my skin/hair immensely.

 

[grownwomanaz]

OP, Now you know just how important Vitamin D is. I was severely deficient as well. I was so low that it didn't register on the test. I found out last year. I experienced depression for no apparent reason and slowed hair growth as well as hair loss. I thank God for this site because I have been blessed through this medium repeatedly. I kept pressing my doctor, former doctor, about the change in my mood and hair loss and she, a black woman, dismissed my claims. Needless to say I changed doctors and come to find out, it was all due to vitamin D deficiency. Now, not only do I take a supplement daily, but I also lay out in the sun at least once a week. I feel so much better and my hair is growing again. God bless.

ETA: I also believe my metabolism was adversely impacted. I've recently dropped over 20lbs and counting since getting my vitamin D up to par.

 

[Harina]

You might want to try some fish oil pills as well. One that has both epa and dha.

 

[NotMyMommasBiscuits]

I am experiencing this now at one year postpartum and I have shaved all my hair off too. Exercise seems to help, as well as scalp massages. And I know this is easier said than done but minimize stress as much as possible, I take a magnesium supplement to help with that much and try to step away from stressful situations within my control as much as possible. Stress management has REALLY improved alot. And sleep....make sure you get plenty of rest.

 

[Stephanay]

I was able to change my hair growth through diet + collagen. I basically gave up refined carbs (bagels, rice, pasta, etc) and focused my attention on vegetables. 2x or 3x as much vegetables than fruits. I also take collagen pills which has helped my skin/hair immensely.

Hello. It's funny you said this because I too am switching up my diet. I'm eating more fruit and vegetables and use them to replAce rice/pasta/chips.
Already by bloated stomach has gone down and I feel a lot better.

What do the collagen tablets actually do?

 

[Stephanay]

OP, Now you know just how important Vitamin D is. I was severely deficient as well. I was so low that it didn't register on the test. I found out last year. I experienced depression for no apparent reason and slowed hair growth as well as hair loss. I thank God for this site because I have been blessed through this medium repeatedly. I kept pressing my doctor, former doctor, about the change in my mood and hair loss and she, a black woman, dismissed my claims. Needless to say I changed doctors and come to find out, it was all due to vitamin D deficiency. Now, not only do I take a supplement daily, but I also lay out in the sun at least once a week. I feel so much better and my hair is growing again. God bless. ETA: I also believe my metabolism was adversely impacted. I've recently dropped over 20lbs and counting since getting my vitamin D up to par.

Girl. I can't believe a vitamin deficiency can cause so much. I always feel tired even when I have lots of sleep and I find it hard to do things as well as depression.
Wow I will definitely start taking my supplements. I live in England so there's not much sun here and I don't want my skin to darken/burn.

about the weight thing I too have added serious weight I wonder if it could be linked....

 

[Stephanay]

I am experiencing this now at one year postpartum and I have shaved all my hair off too. Exercise seems to help, as well as scalp massages. And I know this is easier said than done but minimize stress as much as possible, I take a magnesium supplement to help with that much and try to step away from stressful situations within my control as much as possible. Stress management has REALLY improved alot. And sleep....make sure you get plenty of rest.

I start counselling next week. I'm also joining my gym on Monday to take group fitness classes. This along with my changed diet and supplements should help my growth.

Thanks for your advice sis

 

[Stephanay]

You might want to try some fish oil pills as well. One that has both epa and dha.

I think I'll get omega fish tablets along with my vitamin d supplements x thanks

 

[Stephanay]

Vitamin D deficiency can definitely cause hair loss/ cause hair not to grow as quickly as it should. Good luck with everything

Wow I really didn't know than you x

 

[Stephanay]

Both of those conditions you listed will cause your hair to suffer. Basically you are malnourished and stressed. Anxiety, improper nutrition..Etc. will DEFINITELY affect your hair growth Follow drs orders for vitamin D supplements. . Up you fruits, veggies, water. Go to get treatment for the depression. And take good care of your hair. Seeing a dr regarding your hair isn't a bad idea either but don't be in denial about those diagnosis being the cause of your hair growth issues...they most certainly are major contributors if not the sole causes. Good luck to u.

Thank you beautiful.
I am working on my nutrition now and I am starting fitness classes soon. Counselling starts next week too.
I wasn't in denial I just didn't think it was that bad for my hair to remain stagnant.

X

 

[Stephanay]

Vitamin D deficiency and hair loss According to research, a lack of vitamin D can actually cause hair loss. Vitamin D is found in healthy hair follicles, and is generally lacking in unhealthy follicles. What does vitamin D do? Vitamin D does a lot of things, all of them good for the body. But, important to hair loss, vitamin D helps reduce stress and depression. Stress has been related to hair loss, and if you have lots of stress, reducing this is a good thing. But beyond helping to reduce stress, vitamin D is a precursor to the hair growth cycle. In the liver, vitamin D is converted to calcidiol. This then gets converted by the kidneys to calcitriol, which is the form of vitamin D that is biologically active in the body. This in the body regulates cellular apoptosis (a cycle of cells that are programmed to die, such as in the formation of hair inside the follicle), which helps to regulate the cycle of the hair follicle. Technically, it goes like this. The cycle of a hair follicle goes from anagen (growing) to catagen (receding) to telogen (resting) phase. This repeating cycle then starts back again at 1. There are vitamin D receptors in hair follicles. During that growing phase of the follicle, there are a lot of things going on. Many different processes are involved with growing a new hair from the follicle, and vitamin D plays a role. Those vitamin D receptors in the hair follicle have to be fed, particularly in the growing phase. This is why vitamin D deficiency and hair loss go together. Studies have shown that inhibiting the vitamin D receptors in the follicle can actually cause alopecia (hair loss). If you were to deprive your body totally of vitamin D, you would not have one of the necessary building blocks essential to hair growth. It is important to note that while a vitamin D deficiency can cause hair loss, the opposite is not necessarily true. An abundance of vitamin D is not going to cause hair growth by itself. Once a hair follicle is totally dead, it no longer goes through the cycle above. The hair follicle has to still be active for either vitamin D or even the laser to do anything to help. This is another reason it is important to stop hair loss early on. Foods high in vitamin D Vitamin D is one of the very few vitamins that can be synthesized by your body. This means you can make your own - all you have to do is get some sunshine. Vitamin D is produced in your body naturally when you are in the sun. But lets say you don't get out that often, and/or don't want to increase your sun exposure due to the other risks involved. There are food that are high in vitamin D. Many of the top contenders are seafood, which is healthy in other ways also. Foods high in vitamin D include Salmon Sardines Herring Mushrooms Oysters Eggs Mushrooms Mackerel Tuna Cod liver oil, not technically a food, but a supplement, is also very high in vitamin D. Remember that vitamin D won't cause hair to grow by itself, but can be a contributing factor if you have thinning hair. So it's good to be sure you have enough of this in your diet.

Thank you so much for this. Wow I didn't know this deficiency is stunting my hair growth.
I will definitely take my supplements as well as eating food high in vitamin D