Suicidal in her early twenties

[Anonymous]

My daughter talks about not wanting to exist because she has lost half her hair and it hasn’t grown back in years. We have been do several doctors, there’s no disease or medication or birth control that she’s on. Bloodwork is fine. Years ago she lost weight, hair fell out and hadn’t grown back.
Her scalp is showing. The hair loss is diffuse but its 50% which is alot.

Do you guys think its genetic hair loss for a 20 y/o girl?

[Anonymous]

Have the doctors prescribed her any hair loss meds?

I can see this becoming an all encompassing depression. She must be so exhausted from suffering and worrying about her hair.

[Anonymous]

I’m so sorry. My stepbrother had alopecia starting in his teens and it was devastating.

She needs to address the hair loss and depression separately. Is she seeing a therapist? If not, please help her find one ASAP. It’s likely antidepressant medication may help as well. It can take time to find the right medication and the right dose. She could start with her PCP for that but a specialist in mental health would be better.

I don’t know how to address the hair loss. Has she considered getting a wig? If either of you are on instagram, check out @wigsbytiffani (also www.wigsbytiffani.com, but the before and after and styling videos on IG are really cool). They look so natural! That salon isn’t local, but it may give an idea of options and help her know that she does have options. Im sure there are places in the DMV that do that.

Best of luck to you both.

[Anonymous]

Op here,
No, no hair loss meds since she hasnt been disgnosed with anything .
Well the mental health stuff only started when she lost her hair at 18. She was the happiest ever. We have a good relationship so shes honest and i know theres nothing else causing the misery. Its just the hair loss😞
Thanks guys

[Anonymous]

Isn’t there some kind of injections available for hair loss? I think the dermatologist does them.

[Anonymous]

Has she tried an endocrinologist? Could be hormonal. I agree, would try something like Rogaine.

Early 20s for me was the last painful gasp of adolescent drama. I was a lot more stable and mature at 24+.

[Anonymous]

Has she been tested for celiac disease? Try a GAPS diet for a year and see if that helps, with doctor/nutritionist supervision of course.

[Anonymous]

There’s a new med for alopecia, but not sure if it would be appropriate for your DD since she has no diagnosis. Has she tried rogaine? There are dermatologists who specialize in treatment for hair loss.

I also second PP re: wigs.

[Anonymous]

See this video - https://youtu.be/iS00UfjoMXo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has she been tested for celiac disease? Try a GAPS diet for a year and see if that helps, with doctor/nutritionist supervision of course.

Celiac causes hair loss?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has she been tested for celiac disease? Try a GAPS diet for a year and see if that helps, with doctor/nutritionist supervision of course.

Celiac causes hair loss?

It can sometimes

https://www.goodforyouglutenfree.com/can-celiac-disease-cause-hair-loss/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has she tried an endocrinologist? Could be hormonal. I agree, would try something like Rogaine.

Early 20s for me was the last painful gasp of adolescent drama. I was a lot more stable and mature at 24+.

Thanks everyone 🙏

Can you elaborate please? I also think many people in their early twenties that are struggling have to wait it out. It gets better with time

[Anonymous]

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but I have a friend who suffered severe hair loss after her Covid vaccinations. I'm pro-vaccine so I'm not trying to suggest people don't get them. Just wanted to mention that my friend's doctor mentioned there could be some correlation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here,
No, no hair loss meds since she hasnt been disgnosed with anything .
Well the mental health stuff only started when she lost her hair at 18. She was the happiest ever. We have a good relationship so shes honest and i know theres nothing else causing the misery. Its just the hair loss😞
Thanks guys

Even if it’s just the hair loss that caused the mental health issue, the mental health issue is a real issue. Please take it seriously separate from the hair loss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but I have a friend who suffered severe hair loss after her Covid vaccinations. I'm pro-vaccine so I'm not trying to suggest people don't get them. Just wanted to mention that my friend's doctor mentioned there could be some correlation.

Hair loss can be an autoimmune disorder. Which yes, can be triggered by a vaccination, though that's very rare. It should be noted, an infection of virus may also have caused this. So you can't view the data point in a vacuum.