In times of distress, we may seek different means of escape, such as a major haircut, instead of recognizing how making a drastic, and possibly regrettable, change to our appearance will only give us a fleeting sense of agency, argues Newman.
It helps us embrace another side of ourselves during trying times. Cutting our hair is also an easy way to achieve instant gratification. When everything feels like it's falling apart, we can have some control over our new look. And it acts as a sort of release.
The emotional shedding process
A breakup or other traumatic experience are common times for us women to cut their hair as we see it is the one thing we can take immediate control of; we all know it is often a struggle to adjust our feelings and move on right away.
Studies have shown that cutting one's hair (especially when going through a traumatic life change, such as a breakup) can provide a sense of control and emotional release. Changing one's hairstyle can also be a powerful tool in helping redefine or solidify one's identity. Even a simple trim has mental health benefits.
"Changing hairstyles is really common during life transitions such as a break-up or a new career," Los Angeles-based psychotherapist Heather Turgeon told Stylelist.com. "Our hair is something we can control, so it's empowering to make changes especially when you feel like other aspects of life are out of your control."
Drumming your leg when you're bored, biting your nails when you're nervous, or twirling your hair for the fun of it – that's what's known as stimming.
Many people with mental issues use hair dye as a coping mechanism. That goes back to self expression. They use color to radiate a more positive atmosphere for themselves.
Hair trauma can cause hair loss. However, the hair itself does not hold a trauma, only the hair follicles that are exposed to trauma may be affected."
For someone with bipolar, depression may become so intense that the sufferer is willing to inflict self-harm in order to escape or relieve his emotions. These self-mutilating acts (cutting, hair pulling, excessive scratching or head-banging) are dangerous in the moment and can leave lasting emotional scars.
feel isolated — disinterested in the company of family and friends, or withdrawing from usual daily activities. feel overwhelmed — unable to concentrate or make decisions. be moody — feeling low or depression; feeling burnt out; emotional outbursts of uncontrollable anger, fear, helplessness or crying.
Whether depression is mild or severe, there is indeed evidence that it can affect hair growth and cause hair loss. And what's worse, both the physical and psychological effects of clinical depression may increase your risk of hair loss (as may the effects of other mental health conditions, for that matter).
Showering and brushing your teeth or hair can all be tough tasks if you have depression. If you have major depression, sometimes even the smallest of hygiene tasks may feel insurmountable. Simply taking a shower or brushing your teeth can feel like they require a deep strength from within that you just don't have.
According to Rebecca Newman, a psychotherapist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, “When we're going through a period of transition that is particularly painful, we tend to make decisions that provide immediate relief.” This can stem from the feeling of wanting to rid ourselves of intense or difficult emotions, ...
Sadness. Facial movements: Inner corners of eyebrows raised, eyelids loose, lip corners pulled down. Sadness is hard to fake, according to researchers. One of the telltale signs of sadness is the inner-brow raise, which very few people can do on demand.
There may be noticeable changes in the person's appearance e.g. looks sad, unkept, slow movements. If the depression is severe, a person may be thinking about suicide but not expressing these thoughts. They may suggest this indirectly e.g. "I'd be better off dead" or "What's the point of it all?".
So, a haircut often symbolises a “fresh start”. However, in some cases a dramatic change can point to more serious mental health concerns that reflect distress or trauma its wearer is going through.
One of the symptoms associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is the urge to self-harm. This can manifest itself in several ways, including burning your skin with cigarettes or matches, tearing at your hair, or banging your head. Often, this compulsion to self-harm manifests itself with cutting.
Could manipulation be a result of episodes of mania? Yes, it could be a sign of mania but not always. An episode of mania in bipolar disorder looks different for everyone. But, in general, there are a few common signs that a licensed mental health professional will look for in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that involves extreme changes in mood, behaviors, and thoughts. Treatment for the condition often involves the use of medications. While these medications can help control symptoms, they can cause side effects, including hair thinning or hair loss in some cases.
Hair holds emotional weight and memories, so much so that cutting it off can be a form of letting go of those memories that hold trauma, and a tool of empowerment.
Telogen effluvium
This may cause hair to fall out when you brush, comb or wash it. Hair loss due to telogen effluvium is usually abrupt and temporary. However, it can happen weeks (or even months) after you experience a period of deep stress or a traumatic incident, due to the hair growth cycle.
Trauma can be held in the body, leading to physical symptoms years later — such as headaches, jumpiness, chronic pain, and dissociation. When you have an overwhelming experience, your logical mind might feel “over it” before your body does.
'Hair depression is a really big problem in the Black community because we weren't told that our hair was beautiful. ' Kiera Bradshaw is a senior and part-time hairstylist at the University of Missouri. She spoke about the mental health impacts of hair, texturism and hair depression in the Black community.
Blonde dysmorphia is the feeling that no matter how blonde you are, it's never quite enough. You might have natural blonde hair, or you might dye it blonde, but either way, you're always striving for that perfect shade of sun-kissed blonde that seems to be just out of reach.
Blue has always been linked to tranquillity so it makes sense that people with blue hair are thought to be very calm people. This does not mean that you are ridiculously lazy, on the contrary. By having personal calmness you are likely to have self-confidence.