Severe diffuse thinning at 19. Desperate for some advice.

[BrandonInToronto]

Hi everyone, I'm almost shaking while typing this out and pretty scared of what may be happening but I feel I need somewhere to turn for some real brutally honest answers. I am 19 and in the past 6 months or so have noticed a very severe thinning of the hair the top of my scalp. I have been incredibly stressed out this past year but from what I have read my loss seems more like classic MBP than stress related hairloss. It isn't too obvious when dry because some of my hair is thick and coarse but when my hair is wet it almost makes me sick. Another thing is I don't really know my family history of hair loss so I am basically going into all this blind. I have lived with my adoptive parents since I left foster care when I was 8 years old. I haven't seen my parents since I was about 6 and have never met my biological grandparents.

Also I feel I need to be completely honest, I also have a history of suffering from O.C.D and B.D.D (body dysmorphic disorder) since I was about 13 but I strongly believe this is not just in my head, even though my talk therapist swears that it is all in my head. I even went to my dermatologist a few weeks back and while he did say I may be thinning on top a little he refused to prescribe me any meds or treatment yet because of my mental history, which is the same reason he wouldn't prescribe me accutane a few years back. He told me to wait it out a little to see how it progresses but I don't want to lose valuable time. I am debating just taking matters into my own hands and ordering some finasteride or dutasteride online.

Below are links to an album of various shots of my head with dry hair, wet hair, combed forward, combed back and a youtube video also. I realize this is a lot to look at but I greatly, greatly appreciate any help I may get more than you will ever know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqaZ3pB26GU
http://s1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... ?start=all

Thanks again.

 

[jksl]

imo, it's thinning but it's not too severe. if you have mental issues, i'd stay away from finasteride and just stick with minoxidil for a bit and see how that goes.

Edit: in all honesty though, your hair is a bit too thick to even start rogaine. if i were in your shoes, i wouldn't be worrying yet.

 

[BrandonInToronto]

Thank you for the help, I really appreciate it. Just to make sure though, did you guys watch both the video and look at the pictures? Because even though I used a low quality camera I feel the photos show the thinning I'm concerned about much better than the video. I'm just driving myself crazy that I don't have any inkling of what my pattern may be because of the little knowledge of my biological family. My barber has said I have cowlicks but I feel the thinning of the crown is much more than just a common whorl. Even compared to last year I feel my hair has thinned a huge amount on the top and top back.

 

[jksl]

I saw both the video and the photos. and yes, the photos show the thinning more clearly (maybe because of the flash). it's thinning and you are right to be concerned. but, again, i'd stay away from finasteride if you're having real mental issues, as finasteride and dutasteride are known to affect brain function. i'm guessing most finasteride users don't have brain fog, memory, and depression issues. but, for those who already have a pre-existing mental condition, i imagine that finasteride will make things worse. are you currently on any medication for depression or anxiety? i am no doctor, but if you are on these meds, then i wouldn't recommend finasteride at all.

have you tried cognitive behavioral therapy? ever read the Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns? Might help you with your OCD and BDD.

You can try minoxidil, but it could be difficult to apply since you still have a lot of hair and it's somewhat long. if you are going to use minoxidil, use the dropper to apply (if going for a liquid compound) and then rub it in. If you really have BDD, then the possible minoxidil shed could be severely devastating (it's devastating for those who don't even have BDD) which is one of the reasons why i kind of backtracked on suggesting minoxidil to you.

 

[BrandonInToronto]

I am not currently on anything but to be perfectly honest I have been on Zoloft, Effexor, Invega and Lexapro in the past. Most recently Zoloft which I had sexual sides on. This is part of the reason my derm would not prescribe me accutane some time ago.

I am at a loss though, I don't know why the pictures show so much more thinning. The video and pics were taken within 2 weeks of each other and the only thing different in the video was my hair when wet was combed down instead of back so maybe all the hair falling forward covered up the thinning. A few of them were taken in a brighter room with wide open windows and light shining through however. I don't really know whats going on because I have not noticed my hairline receding too much or the temples going. All of this seems very, very aggressive, especially within the past few months or so. If it progresses as it has, at this rate I will have no hair on the top of my head within 6 months.

I have not heard of those books but will check them out, I need something to distract me. My father always tells me i'm hanging on by a thread...maybe I am losing my last grip on reality... I really need to talk to my therapist or someone who will just listen, I can't sleep.