Why am I fearing a panic attack while getting my haircut?
If the thought of getting a haircut fills you with dread, you’re not alone. What should be a simple, routine activity can feel like an anxiety minefield when panic attacks are in the mix. The fear of having a panic attack in that vulnerable position—stuck in the chair, cape on, with a stranger standing over you—can be overwhelming. Let’s dive into why this happens and what’s really going on in your mind.
One of the biggest triggers for anxiety and panic is the feeling of being trapped, and a haircut is a textbook example of this. Once you’re in that chair, you’re committed. You can’t easily leave if you start feeling panicky, and this lack of control can set off alarm bells in your anxious mind. The thought of not being able to escape if things go south fuels the fear, making it easy to spiral into a panic before you’ve even set foot in the salon.
Let’s be real: small talk with the hairdresser can be awkward at best and anxiety-inducing at worst. If you struggle with social anxiety, the pressure to keep up a conversation—or even worse, the silence that sometimes follows—can feel like too much. You might worry about how you’re coming across, what they think of you, or whether they can tell you’re anxious. This added layer of social pressure can make a simple haircut feel like an ordeal.
Often, it’s not the haircut itself that’s the problem, but the anxiety leading up to it. Your mind starts to build up the scenario: What if I panic? What if I can’t get out of the chair? What if everyone notices? This anticipation anxiety can be just as debilitating as the actual event, making you dread the appointment days or even weeks in advance. The more you think about it, the bigger and scarier it becomes in your mind.
Sitting still with nothing else to focus on can make you hyper-aware of your body, and when you’re prone to anxiety, that’s not always a good thing. You might notice your heart rate increasing, your palms getting sweaty, or your breathing becoming shallow. These physical sensations, which are normal reactions to stress, can quickly be misinterpreted as the onset of a panic attack. And once you start thinking you’re panicking, it’s hard to pull yourself out.
It’s okay to have some nerves about getting your haircut, but it’s important to remind yourself that you’re not in danger. You’re in a safe place, and the worst-case scenario your mind is conjuring up is just that—a scenario. Practice some grounding techniques before and during the appointment: deep breaths, focus on something in the room, or even bring along a stress ball to squeeze in your hand. If small talk is a major trigger, it’s perfectly fine to let your hairdresser know you’re not up for chatting—most will understand.
Having an “exit strategy” in your mind is okay, but try not to let it dominate your thoughts. Remind yourself that even if you feel anxious, you can manage it, and you’ll get through it. The more you can expose yourself to these situations and see that you’re okay, the less power the fear will have. It’s all about taking back control, one small step at a time.