Rapper and music producer Honey Singh recently revealed that he became “completely bald” during his struggle with bipolar disorder and the medications used to treat it. His candid disclosure has reignited conversations around how mental illness can affect not only emotional well-being but also physical health - including severe hair loss.

According to doctors, psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder disrupt multiple biological systems linked to healthy hair growth. Stress hormones, sleep disruption, nutritional deficiencies, medications, and substance abuse may all contribute to excessive hair shedding.

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Hair follicles naturally function in cycles. Most scalp hair remains in the active growth stage, called the anagen phase, while a smaller percentage enters the resting stage, known as the telogen phase, before shedding. However, intense physical or emotional stress can prematurely force a large number of hair follicles into the resting phase. This condition – known as telogen effluvium- often causes sudden and noticeable hair fall weeks or months after severe stress occurs.

Dermatologists say mental health conditions, trauma, sleep deprivation, and chronic anxiety can all trigger this process.

Experts say certain medications used to treat bipolar disorder are scientifically associated with hair thinning and shedding.

One of the most commonly linked drugs is valproate, often prescribed as sodium valproate or divalproex. Clinical studies have reported varying rates of hair loss among users, with some estimates ranging between 5 and 20 per cent depending on dosage and treatment duration. Patients taking valproate may notice:

Drugs for mental health disorders interfere with the intake of many health supplements, that help healthy hair follicle function

Even without medication, bipolar disorder may create conditions that negatively impact hair health.

During severe manic or depressive episodes, the body experiences heightened stress responses involving cortisol and inflammatory hormones. Elevated cortisol levels can interfere with normal hair follicle cycling and increase shedding.

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