Alopecia areata is a common dermatological disorder characterized by the rapid loss of hair in single or multiple patches. Hair loss is often on the scalp, but can also occur in other areas of the body. Psychological traumas have often been cited as precipitating factors. An evaluation of a group of twelve patients diagnosed with alopecia areata was undertaken using psychological interviews and the Rorschach Test, Comprehensive System, with the aim being to identify the condition of the patients’ personalities while handling stress. All patients reported having experienced traumatic events which can be considered catalysts of alopecia areata symptoms, and nine demonstrated clear evidence of serious difficulty in stress management.
Alopecia Areata; stress factor; Rorschach for the Comprehensive System