I was searching through my laptop recently and stumbled across some old photos, one of which prompted me to share my personal story with you. 6 years ago I lost all my hair. What didn’t fall out ended up snapping off. I was in an abusive relationship at the time and it caused me immeasurable stress, eventually resulting in alopecia. Alopecia is an autoimmune condition, which essentially means that the body attacks itself. Great fun 😏
I spent tens of thousands of dollars seeking help – everything from doctors, to dermatologists to hair loss specialists (similar to Ashley and Martin), only to be repeatedly told that there was nothing that could be done. I should buy a nice wig and learn to live with it.
Talk about deflating! You don’t realise how much your femininity and womanliness can be tied up in your hair until you suddenly don’t have any. It’s confronting and honestly, rather depressing.
However, it prompted me to leave my abusive relationship and start my journey on healing and self respect.
I’ve grown up in a family that rarely goes to the doctor (we aren’t anti, we just believe it’s not always the BEST option) and I was determined to find an answer, even though numerous experts had told me there wasn’t one. Thank goodness I did!
A friend encouraged me to see a naturopath and I figured that after all the consults I’d been to, I had nothing to lose. I honestly can’t remember my practitioners name or what I was prescribed, but I do remember bursting into tears of disbelief and gratitude when she told me that she thought my condition could be treated.
I told her not to play with me because I was so deflated and emotional. Well, within 12 weeks my hair was starting to grow back. It was fluffy like a chicken, but it was growing!!! It took forever, but after 2 years of wearing wigs, I finally had my first (rather atrocious) haircut!
I sometimes still battle with balding when I’m under extreme stress, but now I’ve learned how to manage it. I’m thankful I didn’t listen to the doctors when they told me there was no cure, because now my hair is long, thick and strong and it guided me into a career as a nutritionist. Doctors don’t always have the answers – ask questions, do research.
Peace, love and health,
Mandah xo