Is Alopecia Areata Psychosomatic ?

Thirty cases of alopecia Areata from O.P.D. of Govt. Hospital, Madras were administered Indian Version of schedule of Recent Experience, Taylor's Manifest Anxiety Scale, Beck's Depressive Inventory, Hostility Direction and Hostility Questionnaire of Fould's and Cattell's 16 PF Questionnaire (Form E) to find out antecedent stress, anxiety, depression, hostility and personality factors. Thirty cases of Tinea versicolor as well as normal controls matched for age, sex, educational level and income were assessed on similar parameters. There was significant difference in the area of antecedent stress, anxiety and depression in Alopecia Areata group when compared to normal controls, Otherwise no Significant antecedent stress, anxiety, depression, hostility and personality factors could not be demonstrated in cases of Alopecia Areata as compared to a known non-psychosomatic illness i.e. Tinea-versicolor.