A Comparative Study of the Psychological Profile (Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, and Body Dysmorphism) of Patients with Hair Loss and People without Hair Loss

Since, hair loss can be accompanied by worries about general appearance and can cause feeling of being bad looking and low self-esteem and although it can produce anxiety, it has effects on social functions. This study was designed to assess psychological and behavioral impacts of hair loss on patients. This cross-sectional study was performed on two groups of case and control (98 person in each group). Both groups were matched for age, marital status and education. Then, the two groups were given four self-administrate questionnaires, Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), Rosenberg self-esteem scale, World health organization quality of life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF), and Body image disturbance questionnaire (BIDQ). Finally, the results were compared using independent t-test. There were no significant differences between the case and control groups in anxiety and depression, quality of life, and self-esteem. Nevertheless, there was significant difference between the two groups in body image disturbance (P < 0.001). Patients with hair loss clearly suffer from feeling of being bad looking and this can affect their social functions and their presence in community.