My name is Brenna, and I have Alopecia Areata. If you aren't familiar with this "disease," the National Alopecia Areata Foundation defines this as "your body's own immune system attacks your healthy hair follicles, causing them to become much smaller and drastically slow down production to the point that hair growth may stop."
I remember combing through my hair one day when I noticed my part seemed larger than usual in one spot. I kept combing through my hair and discovered a bald patch on my head, the size of a quarter. Of course, I began to freak out. I mean, what teenage girl wouldn't? I was fifteen at the time and it could not come at a worse time in my life. I had just begun high school and was trying to fit in with everyone else around me. As if puberty was bad enough, let's just add balding to the mix!
I remember thinking how ugly and unlikable this made me. My own body was rejecting itself; nothing could be worse than that.
I went to the doctor and had various tests done to check my overall health. When everything came back negative, my dermatologist diagnosed me with Alopecia Areata. She reassured me that this would not grow out of control and that it was probably stress induced. I went through many treatments such as monthly corticosteroid shots in my scalp, weekly UV radiation treatment, and a topical steroid I would apply every night before I went to bed.
Although I felt like we were doing everything we possibly could for my hair loss, nothing helped. In fact, my bald spot began to grow larger and larger. I had to get creative with styling my hair in different ways to hide my bald patch. I felt so ugly and insecure.
Then, my hair began to grow back after 4 months of treatment! I was so happy. I felt that I was beautiful and feminine, again. However, two years later during my junior year of high school, I discovered another bald patch on my head. My heart sank as I called my dermatologist to set up an appointment for more treatment. I was frustrated with myself. What was I doing wrong? Why did my body keep attacking itself?
Soon enough, my hair began to grow back and, once again, I began to feel normal. However, I began to look at the cause of my hair growth: stress. Stress is a natural part of life, but I was letting it take over me so much to the point where my body could not physically take it. I realized that I needed to find ways to manage my stress better and live a healthier life.
Today, I still live with my Alopecia Areata. Just a few weeks ago, I developed yet another bald spot on my head. But now, I have a different outlook. I don't freak out anymore when I get a bald spot; instead, I take it as a warning and figure out what is triggering my stress and use my learned strategies to cope with it.
I have learned to live with my Alopecia Areata. I no longer do aggressive treatment, but let it solve itself naturally. I still feel feminine and I still feel beautiful. I no longer let my Alopecia Areata define who I am as a person, but to add to my beauty as an individual. I have learned that true beauty is not about physical aspects but truly from what is within us.
So to the girls who struggle with Alopecia Areata: You are not alone. You are beautiful. And most importantly, you are absolutely perfect in every single way.
