As we face yet more weeks in lockdown many people are becoming seriously concerned about the state of their hair no more than those suffering from Tonsurephobia otherwise know as haircut phobia. This is a genuine fear of getting a haircut and can prompt very upsetting physical and mental reactions. While historically many people may have mocked those with a phobia of getting a haircut they may be feeling a little more appreciative under the lockdown with all hairdresser/barbers closed.
What do Tonsurephobia sufferers fear?
Each Tonsurephobia sufferer will have their own issues, their own thoughts and their own concerns. Some of the more common issues relate to:-
1. Afraid their hair is cut too short
2. Concerned that a trim may tickle/itch them
3. A fear of sharp blades
4. Concerns they will be mocked about their new haircut
5. Distrust of anybody touching their hair
6. Afraid their hair will not grow back
Let’s take a look at these various issues in more detail.
Afraid your hair would be cut too short
The reality is that we all have fear that going to the hairdresser/barbers might result in a haircut which is too short and not exactly what we wanted. This is life; hairdressers and barbers cannot and will not get it right every time. Those suffering from Tonsurephobia have actually been known to go “missing” from their social circles and work until their hair grows back. Yes, many people will mock but this is a real and genuine fear for many people.
Concerned that a trim may tickle/itch them
This particular fear would appear to take in a number of additional phobias aside from Tonsurephobia. It may involve an aversion to tickling, phobia of itching and a general feeling of being uncomfortable. While some people would view this as “mild” this is a serious issue for many people and can get to the point when they will actually get feel a tickle/itch which is not there. One of the long-term issues with this condition is the lack of social confidence which can have a huge impact on someone’s life. A haircut phobia can lead to issues socialising for many people.
A fear of sharp blades
In all honesty we all have a fear of sharp blades no more so when you look at those people getting shaved with cutthroat razors. However, a fear of sharp blades is a whole different ballgame for those who have a physical and mental reaction. Excessive sweating, lightheadedness and feeling as if you are going to take a panic attack can all come into play if you come into close contact with a sharp blade while getting a haircut or a shave. Not nice!
Concerns they would be mocked about their new haircut
For the vast majority of people working in offices, going to work the next day after haircut is a non-event, never even crosses their mind and they just continue as normal. For those who suffer from Tonsurephobia it can be extremely traumatic and has been known to bring about physical illness. I have heard of people who actually have sleepless nights prior to going to work after a haircut because they are concerned what people will say. The truth is that the vast majority of people at your workplace will never even realise you had your haircut. Those that do will only make a passing comment and it is only the person themselves who feels conscious and as if all eyes are on them. This feeling can lead to a whole range of other social phobias which can restrict social life and even working life.
Distrust of anybody touching their hair
There have been occasions where a distrust of anybody touching your hair can be traced back to a difficult event in their childhood such as a haircut which led to severe mocking at school. You tend to find that schoolchildren are a lot more brutal when it comes to mocking haircuts and especially those which don’t fit in with the current trend. If you take a step back, if you can count on more than one hand the people who you have trusted to cut your hair then you are very unique. The vast majority of us will allow very few people to cut our hair. Haircuts are very personal and they are connected with a deep seated trust of the person or persons carrying them out.
Afraid their hair will not grow back
For those with a full head of hair it is very unlikely that their hair would not grow back even if it was “shaved to the wood”. Those who perhaps have a light ahead of hair and are receding may have a genuine reason to fear their hair might not grow back. Male pattern baldness is a major problem as people get older but for many it is something they learn to live with. It is perhaps a little more challenging for those who are relatively young who may be receding, who may have baldness in their family and are genuinely concerned. In this situation it will probably be more soothing for them to get a “trim” as opposed to a full haircut?
Tonsurephobia is a real fear, haircut phobia
As the writer of this article I actually have a genuine fear of haircuts which I now know is called Tonsurephobia. It can take me literally weeks to psych myself up to visit the hairdressers and the moment when I sit in the chair just prior to the haircut beginning can be challenging. I have been on the verge of leaving the shop on numerous occasions! The reality is I have been going to the same barbers for many years now and they know exactly what I like and deliver. I have never left the establishment concerned or alarmed at my haircut and while it can take me a couple of days to get “used to it” that is more as a result of my Tonsurephobia than anything else.
Summary
There are various aspects to Tonsurephobia which will affect different people in different ways. As we touched on above, this particular phobia of haircuts can also lead to an array of social phobias and in some cases panic attacks. Akin to waiting for the dentist, the fear of going for a haircut is the worst part because once you are there you trust the people and more often than not they will deliver. So, if you suffer from Tonsurephobia, a haircut phobia, rest assured you are not alone!
