If you notice thin­ning or even large amounts of hair falling out, and have been under a lot of pres­sure or stress, this could be a sign of stress-induced hair loss.

Hair loss that is stress-induced is caused by a con­di­tion called tel­o­gen efflu­vium. Phys­i­cal stress, emo­tional stress relat­ing to a death in the fam­ily, preg­nancy, severe weight loss and surgery can all cause stress– induced hair loss. The hair typ­i­cally grows back when the emo­tional or phys­i­cal stress is resolved, although it can take months. For some peo­ple intense stress may trig­ger a type of hair loss called alope­cia areata, which causes the hair not to grow. The areas that are affected by alope­cia will start to fall out. The hair may grow back, but because the white blood cells are attack­ing the hair fol­li­cle and my cause a repet­i­tive cycle of hair loss. If stress is con­tribut­ing to your hair loss there are a few ways to reduce your stress level; exer­cise, yoga and med­i­ta­tion are all exam­ples of ways you can reduce anx­i­ety and stress levels.