Will Antidepressants Cause More Hair Loss?

[luiza]

I'm a 23 years old girl that has been suffering from chronic effluvium telogen since the age of 15.
My hair is currently extremely thin all over my head and quite patchy.
I take a vitamin complex, use minoxidil and sometimes I take Finasteride.

I've been trying to deal with it but I don't know what else to do. I can't use toppers or anything because I also suffer from Hyperhidrosis on the head and face so it would make me sweat A LOT. I think that would make any type of concealer to also drip from my head.
It looks so crap, I can't style it or do anything. I go out feeling bad because there's nothing I can do about it. I feel I've lost all my femininity.

Lately I've been feeling more anxious, stressed and depressed than usual. I also feel very suicidal.
People tell me not to stress cause it will make my hair fall out more but I have no control over it I do worry about other things but I feel that if I didn't have any hair loss I would be able to deal with my other problems. It has literally ruined my life.

I've been put on Zoloft (Sertraline - 50mg), have been taking it for only 4 days but worried cause there are reports that it increases hair loss. My psychiatrist said it's very unlikely to happen.

What should I do? Does anyone there takes antidepressants with no problems?
I know it takes a while to start working but I've been feeling like it has actually made my anxiety worse.
Is there anything I can do until it starts working? I've been struggling so much to even get up in the morning.

Please I need some help. I'm getting desperate...

 

[tellersquill]

I don't think Zoloft will cure the root cause of your hair loss, but perhaps if it reduces your stress levels then it could help to a small degree.

 

[luiza]

I don't think Zoloft will cure the root cause of your hair loss, but perhaps if it reduces your stress levels then it could help to a small degree.

I know it won't cure my hair loss, I just don't want it to make it worse I want to be able to deal with this awful disease.

 

[tellersquill]

I know it won't cure my hair loss, I just don't want it to make it worse I want to be able to deal with this awful disease.

Yes, no woman at your age deserves hair loss.

I do hope things get better for you.

 

[rafiles]

I'm a 23 years old girl that has been suffering from chronic effluvium telogen since the age of 15.
My hair is currently extremely thin all over my head and quite patchy.
I take a vitamin complex, use minoxidil and sometimes I take Finasteride.

I've been trying to deal with it but I don't know what else to do. I can't use toppers or anything because I also suffer from Hyperhidrosis on the head and face so it would make me sweat A LOT. I think that would make any type of concealer to also drip from my head.
It looks so crap, I can't style it or do anything. I go out feeling bad because there's nothing I can do about it. I feel I've lost all my femininity.

Lately I've been feeling more anxious, stressed and depressed than usual. I also feel very suicidal.
People tell me not to stress cause it will make my hair fall out more but I have no control over it I do worry about other things but I feel that if I didn't have any hair loss I would be able to deal with my other problems. It has literally ruined my life.

I've been put on Zoloft (Sertraline - 50mg), have been taking it for only 4 days but worried cause there are reports that it increases hair loss. My psychiatrist said it's very unlikely to happen.

What should I do? Does anyone there takes antidepressants with no problems?
I know it takes a while to start working but I've been feeling like it has actually made my anxiety worse.
Is there anything I can do until it starts working? I've been struggling so much to even get up in the morning.

Please I need some help. I'm getting desperate...

Hello, I would recommend you to check your hormones. It would be for you (as woman) a lot easier to cure your hair loss.

 

[jd_uk]

Only posting as I saw this and it made me sad... Not sure about AD making hair loss worse but I do know that if you go to realself .com (mods please leave that until the OP has seen it at least - can't PM off my phone), then you can ask Hair loss experts and dermatologists directly for free on their Q&A forums.

Good luck x

 

[hairblues]

Have you been tested for PCOS or had our testosterone levels checked?

Sweating and hair loss are signs of testosterone elevated.

I would try to hold off on the anti depressants.

U are depressed because you are loosing hair..

better to try and solve the hair problem

Something must be medical your are so young.

Have you tried spironolactone?

Have you trie Minoxidil?

 

[hairblues]

Also check your ferritin level in a blood test

Not just iron but ferritin. very important

if its under 40 or even under 70--this can be triggering the Telogen Effluvium in women.

Also getting ferritin to 70 and keeping it there can help your hair treatments work better

See a good endocrinologist and also a good dermatologist who specializes in alopecia.