Book Reviews

Coping with Alopecia

Year of Publication: 2004

Written by two psychologists, one of whom has alopecia, this book covers alopecia areata, totalis, universalis and androgenetic. It covers all aspects from the physical symptoms, causes and treatments, to the psychological impact and the possible effect on morale, relationships and work. It is a well researched work. Quite blunt at times but factual and with helpful, illustrative case studies. I found it very useful. It certainly covered all the areas of alopecia I was hoping to have explained, and dealt with them in an easy to understand non-technical way. Not for the faint-hearted, but if you can face having all the potential consequences described, it is a very honest book and a useful work of reference. Ideal for anyone wanting to find out all the basic information about alopecia.

Alopecia Areata, Understanding and Coping with Hair Loss

Year of Publication: 1996

This book is a good general all rounder for people with Alopecia Areata. It has sections for children and adults. It talks about coping, treatments and the latest research. It also has information on wigs and head coverings. Because it is an American book it focuses on the American organisation NAAF, and all things American such as claiming the cost of a wig from your insurance company instead of the NHS. Overall I found that this book was very useful and if you were to buy one book on alopecia I would suggest you buy this one. However because it was an American book some of it could be seen as irrelevant to people from other countries.

The Hair Loss Cure, How to Treat Alopecia and Thinning Hair

Author: Elizabeth Steel

Year of Publication: 1999

This book focuses on all types of hair loss such as Androgentic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata. It also has personal stories running throughout the book. It is not a cure to hair loss as the title may suggest but it does advise on treatments which may help. It also talks about wigs and head coverings. This book contains a fair amount of information and advice, however I was surprised to read that Elizabeth Steel thinks you have to wear a wig in order to get on with life and that men won't like you without hair.
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