Psychological problems with hair loss in general practice and the treatment policies of general practitioners.

Scalp hair loss problems and the policies of general practitioners were studied by sending questionnaires to 374 physicians, of whom 21% responded. About 50% of the patients, according to their physicians, had psychological problems which predominantly comprised low self-esteem in the male patients and fear and anxiety in the female patients. The general practitioners followed the same policy for patients with psychological problems and for those without. The findings suggest that many alopecia patients need more psychological support from their physicians.