The tendency towards the development of psychosexual disorders in androgenetic alopecia according to the different stages of hair loss: a cross-sectional study

Abstract: Background: Androgenetic alopecia is a common dermatological condition affecting both genders. Objective: To evaluate the tendency towards development of psychosexual disorders according to the clinical stages of androgenetic alopecia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted including 353 patients of both sexes on different clinical stages of hair loss, and the patients were enquired about self-perception, self-esteem, sexual experiences, anxiety and depression states. Hair loss was classified by standardized hair loss scales, and psychological effects were assessed with questionnaires. Results were compared to p<0.05. Results: Negative effects on each psychological parameter of androgenetic alopecia in females were higher than in males. While overall comparisons according to hair loss stages for each parameter were significant in males, only sexual experiences, anxiety and depression values were significant in females. Sexual experiences and depression values were higher in Ludwig 3 than in 1&2, while anxiety was higher in Ludwig 3 than 1. Self-perception values in Norwood 2&2A were higher than 3A, 3V, 4 and 4A, while self-esteem values in 2A were higher than 3&4. Sexual experiences values in 2&2A were lower than 3, 3A, 3V, 4 and 4A, while 3&3A were lower than 4&4A. Depression was lower in 2A than 3, 3A, and 3V, and lower in 2A than 4A. Anxiety was lower in 2A than in 4&4A. Study limitations: Relatively small number of patients, who were from a single center. Conclusions: In the management of androgenetic alopecia, it should be considered that patients may need psychological support according to the clinical stages, because of increased tendency to develop psychosexual disorders.

Psicoterapia de criança com alopecia areata universal: desenvolvendo a resiliência / Psychotherapy of child with universal alopecia areata: developing resilience / Psicoterapia del niño con alopecia areata universal: desarrollando la resiliencia

Este artigo apresenta um estudo de caso de uma criança portadora de alopecia areata universal, vitiligo e transtorno de ansiedade generalizada, atendida em clínica-escola de psicologia de 2002 a 2007. A abordagem terapêutica adotada foi a psicoterapia de orientação psicanalítica infantil e a orientação sistemática aos pais, objetivando a diminuição dos sintomas e o desenvolvimento de habilidades para o enfrentamento da doença crônica. No decorrer do processo, ao longo dos cinco anos de atendimento, a paciente adaptou-se positivamente à doença, ocorrendo a remissão dos sintomas de ansiedade e o desenvolvimento de comportamentos resilientes que indicaram a alta terapêutica.

This paper presents a study of case of a child with universal alopecia areata disease vitiligo, generalized anxiety disorder, taken care of in school-clinic of psychology in the period of 2002 to 2007. The therapeutical boarding was the psychotherapy of infantile psychoanalytical orientation and the systematic parents orientation to reach the reduction of the symptoms and development of abilities for the confrontation of the chronic illness. During of the process, to the long of the five years of attendance, the patient presented positively adaptation to the illness, the remission of the anxiety symptoms and the development of resilient behaviors.

Este artículo presenta un estudio del caso de un niño con alopecia areata, vitíligo y trastorno de la ansiedad generalizada atendida en una clínica-escuela de psicología en el período del 2002 al 2007. El tratamiento terapéutico adoptado fue la psicoterapia de orientación psicoanalítica infantil y la orientación a los padres, buscando la reducción de los síntomas y el desarrollo de las capacidades para confrontación de la enfermedad crónica, ocurriendo la remisión de los síntomas de la ansiedad y el desarrollo de los comportamientos resilientes que habían indicado el fin terapéutico.