Dermatology Advisor (12/19, Stong) reported a study found that “alopecia areata is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders.” The research team observed the “alopecia group had a cumulative incidence of any psychiatric disorder of 17.3% compared with 3.9% in the control group, for a risk ratio (RR) of 4.49. Severe psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were diagnosed in 0.7% of patients in the alopecia group and 0.2% of patients in the control group. Specifically, 6.4% of patients with alopecia had a depressive disorder compared with 1.3% of control patients. Anxiety disorders occurred in 10.6% of the alopecia group and 2.8% of the control group.” Additionally, “women with alopecia had an increased psychiatric burden compared with men.” The study was published in Dermatology and Therapy.
Related Links:
— “Alopecia Areata Is Associated With Increased Risk for Psychiatric Disorders,”Colby Stong, Dermatology Advisor, December 19, 2025