Reactions to Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata can be challenging for those who have the disease and for their families. Although the illness impact people differently, there are some common experiences among those affected. For example, you might be thinking that no one knows or understands what you are going through. Many people with alopecia areata think this and then feel immense relief when they finally meet someone else with alopecia areata or when they learn of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF). In addition to having common thoughts and feelings about alopecia areata, there are also common psychological reactions to the disease.
People who have alopecia areata and their family members often experience a variety of feelings and frustrations. Reactions to the disease include the following:
- Alone, withdrawn, and isolated
- Loss and grief
- Fear that others may find out you have the diseasse
- Fear that others may find out that you wear a wig
- Sadness and depression
- Hopelessness
- Anger
- Embarrassment
- Guilt or self-blame that you somehow brought the disease on yourself
- Guilt related to how the disease is affecting family members and loved ones
- Frantic in regard to searching for an answer or cure (going to extremes)
- For parents, guilt that they may have genetically contributed to their child’s disease
- For parents, helplessness that they cannot stop the disease or help ease their child’s pain
- For siblings and other family members, shame and anger because the disease has also affected their lives
