21 year old receding hairline help

[arn]

Hi guys, I'm pretty much at my final straw with my hair.. I've worried and worried and here I am

 

First of all here's my hair pushed back, usually i have a long fringe over my forehead

 

 

I'm a 21 healthy guy from the UK.. Yes I've suffered from stress and been diagnosed with depression.. Over the past few year I've been recovering from years and years of struggling with anxiety and depression which has lead me to nearly killing myself.. I put most of this down to bullying, my childhood in general and my BDD (body dismorphic disorder).. i dont know if this has made my hair fall out or what, but i know at one point due to stress when i was young, my hair lost all it's colour and was near enough grey

 

These days my BDD is the only thing that really drags me down, I worry about my skin and especially my hair(line) etc

 

My dad has a very similar hairline altho obviously he is much older and it's a lot worse on him, surely that means its hereditary and mine is going to go the same way?

 

Why I'm here is just for some advice, I've bought some Rogaine/Regaine to try out despite reading it's not THAT successful and I'm working to save up for a hair transplant. I just want that gap filled

 

I just wondered if theres anyone out there with some advice

This isnt something I can just learn to deal with. My BDD is out of control DRs and psychiatrists can't help

 

Thanks for reading

 

Aaron

Edited April 5, 2013 by arn

[Blake Bloxham]

Hi Aaron,

 

First, I want to wish you the best with your health issues. I know BDD can be very serious, and I do encourage you to continue seeing your psychiatrist. Health is a very comprehensive ideal, and mental health is an important piece of the puzzle.

 

What's more, I think discussing your hair restoration goals with both your psychiatrist and your hair transplant surgeon (if you do seek surgical hair restoration) is very important. Like you said, BDD involves a distortion of your own personal image, and discussing how your view yourself and what you would like to change is important.

 

As of now, I would first consult with a dermatologist or hair restoration expert and determine what is causing your hair loss. If it is genetic thinning (androgenic alopecia), you may want to consider preventive methods like minoxidil (Rogaine/Regaine) and finasteride (Propecia). After you've stabilized your hair loss, surgical hair restoration may become a realistic possibility at a later date.

 

Luckily, your hair looks quite good, and if you are thinning, you've caught it in the very early stages and can manage it effectively. Additionally, genetic hair loss presents uniquely in each patient, and it's nearly impossible to tell how your hair loss will progress based upon your father's Norwood pattern.

 

Please, feel free to ask any additional questions. Again, I highly recommend continuing your relationship with your physicians and discussing the issue with any new doctor with whom you consult.

 

Good luck!

[arn]

can anyone link me to some good sites regarding this

 

maybe some good UK based sites for transplants.. i'd like a good idea of cost etc

 

I can't seem to find anything beneficial

 

& thank you Blake. I've booked an appointment with my DR to discuss things, hopefully considering she knows my past she will be understanding and help me

[GreatPelo]

Hit the breaks young man. I know your hair loss is affecting you, but you're too young for a hair transplant. Get started on therapy (Propecia, Rogaine, Laser therapy) and let's see how you're holding up in 2-3 years...let your hair loss pattern set in....and if therapy is holding good....then you can consider hair transplant surgery.

 

Jumping the gun too early and then suffering aggressive hair loss in the future might put you in a difficult situation of not being able to fulfill your hair goals (hair loss being more aggressive than what your future donor can cover)....thus making you even more frustrated in the future.

 

Take it step by step...educate yourself on this...and you'll be better off in the future...no matter which road it leads you.

 

Best of luck!

[Questionmark]

Hey arn, you`re alright? Have you had your consultation yet?

[gasto]

I know Rocky Balboa is not a psychiatrist, but this is my opinion on the bullying subject matter:

 

 

I wouldn't recommend a hormonal disruptor such as finasteride, especially because it may worsen your depression.

 

Sometimes, solutions are simple, like getting a girlfriend or hanging out with people whose company you enjoy.

 

Take care.

[Modenese]

Arn

 

Like Gasto, I recommend in the strongest terms you do not go anywhere near finasteride, based on the honest appraisal you've given.

 

One of the side effects can be anxiety and depression.

 

This is one of the listed side effects, and one I've experienced. Finasteride can make me feel like I'm going to be squished by some great unseen danger. It's the hardest thing to describe, but it's like you would get if you were in real mortal danger all the time. The feeling is physical, palpable, visceral.

 

The effects go away after 10 days of not taking the drug.

 

So, with that all said, please don't take this drug. You many not be able to find a physician to prescribe it anyway based on your mental health, and you should not self-prescribe from sources selling online.

 

I wish you the very best, but you must refuse to see yourself as a victim and stop feeling sorry for yourself. Victims have no power.

 

If you have depression get treatment for that, but also refuse to see yourself as a victim. Make sure you see more than a GP - they are not specialists. Go to a proper mental health professional. Decide you want to be well. For now, forget the hair, come back to it when you have made some progress on your mental health.

[michaeljames]

Hi guys, I'm pretty much at my final straw with my hair.. I've worried and worried and here I am

 

First of all here's my hair pushed back, usually i have a long fringe over my forehead

 

 

I'm a 21 healthy guy from the UK.. Yes I've suffered from stress and been diagnosed with depression.. Over the past few year I've been recovering from years and years of struggling with anxiety and depression which has lead me to nearly killing myself.. I put most of this down to bullying, my childhood in general and my BDD (body dismorphic disorder).. i dont know if this has made my hair fall out or what, but i know at one point due to stress when i was young, my hair lost all it's colour and was near enough grey

 

These days my BDD is the only thing that really drags me down, I worry about my skin and especially my hair(line) etc

 

My dad has a very similar hairline altho obviously he is much older and it's a lot worse on him, surely that means its hereditary and mine is going to go the same way?

 

Why I'm here is just for some advice, I've bought some Rogaine/Regaine to try out despite reading it's not THAT successful and I'm working to save up for a hair transplant. I just want that gap filled

 

I just wondered if theres anyone out there with some advice

This isnt something I can just learn to deal with. My BDD is out of control DRs and psychiatrists can't help

 

Thanks for reading

 

Aaron

 

Hell Aaron,

 

I empathize with your concerns. It is good you are receiving the professional consul for BDD; it is a challenging path but stay with it mate. Minoxidil (Rogaine) sometimes is not effective. Finesteride (Propecia) might be an alternative for you. This is a prescribed medication so you would be best served seeing and HTN recommended doctor. You might find a smaller HT procedure could be of benefit.

 

Most importantly is that you continue working with your doctor to help with your BDD and share with him how you think improving your self image may help you. All the Best, Michael