Is acceptance the same as giving up?

I’m a 32 year old South African female. I have lived with Alopecia Areata since I was 22 however for the most part I didn’t worry about it as it was just small patches here or there that came and went and were easily hidden.

For the past 2.5 yrs one patch has become a second patch & a third and they have all become friends…spreading up from my neckline and sides to the top of my head. Daily I am losing more hair and its getting more and more difficult to hide. Basically I have lost 60%+ of my lovely hair and am going through emotional hell, with my psychologist concerned about the depression factor.

Having been someone will less than perfect health most of my life (asthma, allergies) and having a daily struggle with eczema since I was 6 weeks old, I feel like I really don’t need anything else on my plate. I just want to Live my Life and be FREE of all these daily worries.

Gosh….with the amount of money I have spent on my health in my 32 years, I’d be a millionaire today!

I have tried the conventional medicine path over and over again. Whether I go to a gp, Dermatologist, Allergy specialist, ENT Specialist, Alopecia specialist etc. all I get dished out is cortisone –oral, injections, sprays, creams. Yes, it has its place and has been my saving grace many many times but no one seems to be interested in getting to the core of the problem. Let’s just keep suppressing your symptom’s and hope for the best!

In addition, I have been for numerous expensive blood tests….always showing inconclusive results. Im sure the same sad frustrating story for all of you!

I live an extremely healthy lifestyle, yet my body is at war with itself. I honestly feel sorry for my body. All it strives for is to operate in harmony. The way it should be. But its in a state of dis-ease and struggling day to day.

So what do I do….just sit back and let nature takes it course? Just accept this disease & wait for the outcome? Sorry but that’s not in my genetic make-up. I don’t give up. I can’t give up. I need to know why.

Sure, I can accept my lot in life - I have Alopecia amongst other things but that doesn't mean I have to stop trying. Acceptance isn't the same as giving up.

So I’m still doing daily research and my next step will most properly be trying the naturopath route again....change my diet, support with supplements etc. Sure, i've been here before but it’s what makes sense to me & maybe, just maybe, I'll get it right this time.

We have one life, one chance and I look forward to the day when my body and I will be on an harmonious journey together.

Views: 1704

Comment by Rose on July 21, 2013 at 12:44pm

my heart goes out to you. I guess when I shaved my head I made a choice to embrace my alopecia. it has indeed lessoned the emotional hold it had on me, but that isn't the path for everyone. ...and there are still moments when I wish my body would get "unconfused" so to speak.

Comment by Rosanna on July 22, 2013 at 3:01pm
Self acceptance is not giving up by any means! I have had AU for 8 years and I am currently working on a web series on self love. I thought this video I made on self acceptance would be a great contribution to this conversation: http://bit.ly/10Ph1OL

You are strong and beautiful, believe it!
Comment by Bonnie on July 30, 2013 at 5:17pm

Living with any disease/disorder is difficult. I'm sure in your society, there are certain social expectations, just like everywhere else. Even for men, it is one thing to chose to shave your head and be bald, but another to have it thrust upon you against your will. And I think that is what it really comes down to. Will. It was not your will to lose your hair. It was not your will to go from doctor to doctor seeking a cure. It was not your will to feel ugly and depressed. You have a right to be angry and upset. Feel your emotion. But don't buy a tooth brush there.

Once you have taken a moment to be upset about the things that have happened against your will, start focusing on all the things that you still have control of. What is your new will? Is it your desire to buy a beautiful wig? A new hat? A colorful scarf? Is it your will to look at all the beautiful bald heads on this site and get ready to have your picture made with your gorgeous new bald head? When you adapt, adjust, and embrace, you say good bye to the pain and sorrow. You may be on a different course, but you are still the captain.

Comment by Heather Brown on July 30, 2013 at 11:01pm
I think that giving up is accepting that you can't change what is. but you have to be ready to move on otherwise you're not giving up at all.
Comment by Rob on August 6, 2013 at 1:56pm

I did a post, but I cured mine with biotin and iodine. I used kelp for the iodine content.

Comment by Rob on August 6, 2013 at 2:15pm

It also has worked for two other people that I recommended it to.

Comment by Paula on August 10, 2013 at 4:35pm

Wow Bonnie that's so well said.. I enjoyed reading your post.

Comment by Debbi Fuller on August 12, 2013 at 7:07am

I love your post Dolores! Buy good clothes! From one shopper to another, great advice! You always look great and well put-together. We always say that the design of the hairpiece is 1/3rd, manufacturing is 1/3rd and getting a great style is the last 3rd. Then, you have to have good make-up and clothes to round out the picture! Cures are illusive and what seems to work for one person does not work for someone else. Since alopecia is quirky and sometimes just shuts itself off and on for no good reason, assuming that something you try is actually 'working' when it might just be growing back anyway, is tricky and not necessarily the case. There is no 'cure' per se.

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