P2   THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-HELP-ORGANIZATIONS FOR HAIR PATIENTS AND DERMATOLOGISTS

Latz, J. Alopecia Areata Deutschland e.V. (AAD), Krefeld, Germany

Hair-problems are not to be considered as serious diseases, not life-threatening, but reason enough to be discussed. Is hair-loss therefore a cosmetic problem? - Hair serves social positioning. It becomes a problem when we start losing it. Hair-loss is a heavy burden to most of the hair-patients, threatens them psychologically and can cause limitation in social life. Losing control over their body and the feeling of being left alone by medicine frightens the hair patient. Therefore most of them seek for psychological help.

This is where the work of self-help-organizations like Alopecia Areata Deutschland starts. The patients learn that they are not alone. The effect can be that they stop consulting too many doctors and prefer to collect information and learn how to cope with their hairloss.

Hair-patients have to be regarded within their social life to find a better understanding for their fears and needs. We have to strengthen the cooperation between doctors and self-help-organizations. A clear diagnosis and a profound work of information are necessary to save patients from people who make false promises for a high price.

The AAD offers advice and psychological support. Newsletter, contact to other areata-patients, pen-club, and local groups complete the personal care. Yearly congresses and offensive press-work inform patients and public for a better understanding of our problems. Self-help-Organizations should act like a partner towards interested doctors and support their work with the accompanying psychological care. This will be the new strategy for 2000 to proceed in hair-science through cooperation of both parties.