EDITOR’S NOTE: In recognition of 2016’s Alopecia Awareness Month, we are publishing every few days a new installment of Anita B’s very personal story, from the shock of first discovering she had Alopecia, through the life changes and mental journey to Acceptance & rediscovered Happiness. Anita B. wears, by choice, a Joli Dancer™ by Joli Caméléon™. After wearing many other well-known wigs designed for Alopecians, and actually being a sales rep for one of those companies for a while, she tried a Joli Dancer™ hair creation and liked it so much that she purchased another one 6 months later, all with her own money. Only after this did Anita take on the independent role of a Joli Caméléon Brand Champion. If this story resonates with you, we welcome guest bloggers and would love to hear your thoughts on the 10 phases Anita went through.
#AdaptBeautifully
All the Best. Michael.
4) Anger
I seem to be angry with everyone. I’m angry with myself. I was fighting a losing battle. Once that reality set in, I realized that this arguably benign disease was altering my life. People weren’t treating me the same way as before. I felt they pitied me or saw me as weak. I was continually questioned about my condition, “Why is your hair falling out?” “Will it grow back?” “Do you have cancer?” Many people inferred that this was something I brought on myself. They offered advice about how I should change my diet, reduce my stress, or change the hair products I was using. Nothing is more frustrating than to have someone tell you should be doing something that you’ve already tried, as though you were too stupid to think of that on your own. I would go to work and try to just concentrate on what I had to do. But all everyone wanted to do was talk about my hair loss. I was put in the position of having to defend myself. I became angry and frustrated, but I had to remain professional so I couldn’t let it show. No, I hadn’t done anything to cause it and of course I was trying incredibly hard to stay in control. The worst was the misdirected sympathy, because many people automatically assumed I was battling cancer. I felt I didn’t merit the sympathy because I wasn’t ill. This left me feeling guilty and embarrassed. Then I’d feel sorry for myself which only made things worse. I became angry with myself. I didn’t deserve to wallow in self-pity when there were people out there who are really sick.
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