I agree totally with your comments about being positive, and feeling good about life in general. I also think getting out and walking and taking exercise is great, and does help.

It is just when I catch sight of myself in a shop window when I have taken my cycling helmet off that I feel pretty desperate, seeing a balding and shiny head...

Today I went horse riding, and when I took my riding hat off my hair was thin, limp, wet and sweaty, and I was conscious of the other people looking at me...the same with swimming, I no longer want to jump into the pool as I worry about the state of my hair and what I will look like...

Your attitiude sounds very like mine! There are lots of worse things in life that people have to endure, and there is no point in allowing a hair condition to swamp one`s existence...there are too many good times out there!
For the last few years I have managed to do everything without too much of a problem, and I do have a large collection of hats! I think that this year my hairline has receded more, and it is now more noticeable, which is causing me to feel a lot more self conscious about my appearance.