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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/eating disorder related hairloss

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Expert: Katie - 12/22/2007


Question
Hi.
I'm 21 and recently I've started to notice that my hair is thinning an falling out alot when i wash and brush it. for a couple of months i wasn't eating properly and lost quite alot of weight. I'm now eating better and have gained most of the weight back. so why is the hair loss happening now and will it ever go back to normal? i have been really stressed out and worried about this and don't know what to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks  

Answer
Hi Karen, thanks for the question.
Hair loss is one of the biggest symptoms/side effects that accompanys an eating disorder, anorexia in particular. I am actually one year younger than you, and so I can definitely relate, as I have had very severe hair loss. Hair loss often results in just mild forms of malnutrition (common, rather non-serious cases, such as kids who eat large amounts of "empty" calories) so you can only imagine how prevalent, and oftentimes severe, hair loss is in cases of anorexia.
I struggled with both severe anorexia, as well as bulimia, from age 12 and I had very serious hair loss. I lost about half of my total hair, and, luckily for me, I happened to be born with a thick, full head of hair, but it was still very sad and very difficult. I ended up having to limit the washing of my hair to only once a week, because I could not handle how much of my hair I lost each time I washed it. I still have a "bald spot" on the top right-hand side of my head, but I can easily disguise it, and its often mistaken for just an everyday cowlick.

To answer your question, yes, your hair will grow back! First of all, as you mentioned, your eating disorder spanned only a matter of months, which is a relatively short duration in terms of eating disorders. I struggled severely for eight years, and my hair is thicker, shiny and healthy. So I'm sure your hair will end up regenerating itself as well. The key to this may all lie in your body's vitamin (and/or protein) intake. Even if you're eating well, this does not necessarily represent your body's nutrient intake. Your body will not recover as fast as it gained weight, and you probably need to be taking vitamin supplements. Seeing a doctor, and possibly a nutritionist, may be a good idea. They will work with you to help determine what vitamins and minerals your body may be lacking, and will help you to make up for this defecit. Also, there are sometimes multiple factors that can ultimately lead to hair loss. You may have messed with your metabolism a little bit while restricting your food intake, which may have slowed down your thyroid activity. An under active thyroid often results in hair loss, dry/brittle nails, lethargy, etc. The symptoms are often interchangeable with that of an eating disorder. This is why I feel it would be in your best interest to see a doctor and have a physical, if you have not already.
Stress, too, can also contribute to hair loss. I find this to happen with me from time to time. I am a college student, athlete and have an internship, and when things start to overwhelm me, I find that my hair loss tends to be a tad more severe than usual.

I hope this helped! Best of luck to you in your continued recovery, and happy holidays.

Anorexia/Eating Disorders

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Katie

Expertise

I can answer (at least to the best of my ability) any question or concern you may have pertaining to eating disorders. I have been deeply touched and effected by these devastating diseases, as I have suffered through them myself for years, and I feel that I definitely have the ability to help others who may be going through the same thing. These diseases tend to give the disordered a feeling of helplessness and aloneness, and there is no feeling more frustrating than trying to reach out to someone who just doesn't understand (as those not effected with the disorder have the inability to do), and who is dismissive of your disease. I have experienced all of that, which is why I am here to help. I've suffered through both anorexia and bulimia for seven years, and I've experienced and been through it all, and my only purpose in doing this is to help those who may be in the midst of an eating disorder themselves. I am not here to criticize you, I am only here to shed a little bit of light in your tunnel, and to do the best I can to help you. While I am not a doctor, I will try to the best of my ability to answer each question I receive with as much honesty, compassion, and heart as I can. Most likely whatever it is you're going through at the moment, I have been there too, so I can help by drawing from my own experiences. My biggest goal would be for eating disorders to be alleviated altogether, but until that happens, I am here to help.

Experience

I have suffered through both severe bulimia, as well as severe anorexia, for seven years. I have done extensive research on these diseases throughout the years, in an attempt to understand them better and to help guide myself through the very difficult path to recovery. I have received some help from others along the way, in order to make the road a little less lonely, and I have acquired some tools myself, that I believe have helped me to better combat these difficult diseases, and the emotions that usually accompany them. I have learned (although it took many, many years) to see my eating disorders as learning experiences, and as tools to use to better understand myself, and perhaps I can help you to do the same. Or perhaps I can help lead you to a healthier path, avoid reaching the point where your eating disorder may seem beyond repair (I've been there, and I've learned that it is never too late to seek help, or to prevail over this disease), or to help open your eyes to all of the wonderful aspects of a life free of eating disorders. I believe that I was given this disease for a reason, which has been to use my own painful battle with eating disorders and turn it into what may be a bit of hope for someone else who is suffering through what I had gone through. I am passionate about the positive awareness and ultimately the elimination of these diseases, and our media seems to portray eating disorders in a very, very inaccurate and unhealthy light, which often encourages these diseases, or discourages those who suffer from them in getting the help that they deserve. I am here to help, and I will do so to the best of my ability.

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