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Table 4 Number of patients discussing their experience with each psychosocial concept included in the conceptual model

From: “‘You lose your hair, what’s the big deal?’ I was so embarrassed, I was so self-conscious, I was so depressed:” a qualitative interview study to understand the psychosocial burden of alopecia areata

Concept

Patients discussing experience of concept, n (%)

(N = 45)

Perceived/ Actual stigmatization

 Social Judgement

20 (44)

 Association with cancer

12 (27)

Relationship impacts

 Impact on romantic relationships

8 (18)

 Impact on familial relationships

10 (22)

 Impact on friendships

16 (36)

Emotional impacts

 Sadness/ Depression

21 (47)

 Anxiety/ Worry/ Fear/ Stress

19 (42)

 Guilt

3 (7)

 Anger/ Frustration

3 (7)

 Embarrassment/ Shame

10 (22)

Psychological impacts

 Insecurity/ Inadequacy/ Self-consciousness

25 (56)

 Helplessness

5 (11)

 Low self-confidence/ Introversion

9 (20)

Social and lifestyle impacts

 Impact on exercise/ leisure activities

22 (49)

 Financial strain

4 (9)

 Longer hygiene/ beauty regime

15 (33)

 Social avoidance

18 (40)

 Impact on work/ school

18 (40)