Trying to come to terms with my alopecia

Hi, everyone.

I'm new to this website but I should have been on here a while ago. I am 22 years old, and I was diagnosed with a diffuse form of Alopecia Areata in August of 2015. I am writing because I just need support from others who have gone through, or going through what I am . No one around me understands what I am going through (and I don't blame them), but it is extremely difficult to get through it and talk about it with people who don't understand. My goal is to come to terms with my Alopecia and allow it to make me stronger. I don't want it to control my life and happiness any longer.

My story:

My hair began falling out in April of 2015 and by August I had lost 95% of it. I then resorted to a wig which I hated wearing (but I guess it got the job done). Luckily, that next month in September 2015 my hair began to grow back and I was able to stop wearing my wig until early June of 2016. I thought the worst was over and it was behind me. However this past August 2016, I noticed two small patches on the top and back of my head. They have now grown to the size of softballs and continue to grow. I am hopeful each day it will stop though.

I am hopeful to talk to and get feedback from others who are basically hating their life just like me right now, or who have learned to not care if they are bald and embrace it. I want to get through this and finally accept this. I think a big thing for me is self-image and identity, as anyone else struggles with if you have Alopecia. I want to learn to not care as much about what others think and about looks because society puts such a big emphasis on this, which is why it is so hard for us to live with.

I want to maybe change my diet or something if that helps but that's a big change for me to do. As of right now I just want to help myself so I can remain emotionally stable.

Thanks so much Alopecia World and to everyone on this site, and for those whose are reading my first blog post. I need your support.

Thank you!

Views: 1093

Comment by Vicki on January 24, 2017 at 3:28pm

I cry all the time!  And every advert on TV seems to be a hair shampoo advert.  I hate looking at my  old photos.  I used to have my hair thinned out, and always complained that my hair was hard work as I had too much of it.  God do I eat those words now!  Do any of you also have a very itchy scalp?  Mine is so dry and sore too.  If I could just find a good wig, a wig that is me, maybe i would find this easier.  But now I am in a real panic because its effecting my eyebrows and eyelashes.    My husband has been a rock but he thinks I need to get my head around the fact that its happening and I should stop hiding away, but I cant.  I am stubborn when I want to be, and I dont want to be the only one amongst my friends looking and feeling awful.  Vain, maybe, but its more that I dont want to stand out and be different. 

Any wig recommendations, diet tips, supplement tips - very welcome!

Comment by Stacie on January 24, 2017 at 3:54pm

Vicki, have you been to a dermatologist about the dry, itchy scalp?  If not, that might be a good idea to do -- there may be a cream or ointment that can moisturize and soothe your skin.  In terms of a wig, it may be best to try a human hair wig and wear a breathable cotton wig cap.  Synthetic wigs can be coarser, so they can cause more itchiness.  Wigmakers who specialize in human hair often can do eyebrows too.  

Comment by Rachel on January 24, 2017 at 4:30pm
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for sharing your story. I can certainly relate to everything you described, from hating life to wanting to be in a better place. I've finally made it to a great place where I don't even think about being bald most days and I'm comfortable with my appearance, so I wanted to share what helped me.

I saw a great a counselor/psychologist for about 5-6 sessions. In a short time, he really helped me emotionally come to grips with my situation and I can't recommend it highly enough. The other thing that really helped, which was part of my homework from my counselor, was to go out without my wig. I did up my make-up, put on an outfit that made me feel beautiful, went to a part of town where I knew I wouldn't see anyone I know, I held my head high, put on a badass face that said "I dare anyone to ask me about my baldness", and I strolled around town. It was really liberating. I got a lot of friendly smiles and I knew that it wasn't just my secret to bear anymore. Other people knew and they were so accepting. From there it was easier to tell other people, and the more people who knew, the less alone I felt.

Now, I have my eyebrows and my eyeliner tattooed and I wear a wig about 50% of the time. I dated, met my husband, got married, and had a kid all while being bald. Don't let it slow you down. Figure out what, besides hair, makes you feel beautiful and indulge in that.

Stay strong.

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