Stress is a common experience that can have a variety of negative effects on the body, including hair loss. While hair loss is not always caused by stress, it is a common symptom. This is because stress can lead to changes in the body's hormone levels, which can in turn affect the hair growth cycle.
The hair growth cycle has three phases: the anagen phase, the catagen phase, and the telogen phase. The anagen phase is the active growth phase, during which the hair shaft is produced. The catagen phase is a transitional phase, during which the hair shaft is released from the scalp. The telogen phase is the resting phase, during which the hair follicle is dormant. Stress can cause hair loss by shortening the anagen phase and prolonging the telogen phase. This can lead to a decrease in the number of hairs that are actively growing, and an increase in the number of hairs that are shed.