The inner half of my left eyebrow is falling out. It’s not quite noticeable yet, but it’s flirting with severity in a way that is far too bold for me to remain calm. Along with the hairs falling out, I seem to have developed dandruff on just that particular area of that particular eyebrow.

It is noticeable.

It is not cute.

WebMD says that it’s likely stress-induced seborrheic dermatitis. The most recommended solution that I could find on medical message boards is to wash your eyebrows with dandruff shampoo, massaging it in with a toothbrush. I found a travel-sized bottle of Head & Shoulders in my bathroom and have positioned it next to the sink so when I wash up, I can’t help but see it. I haven’t actually tried following the recommended treatment routine yet though, mostly because I only have one toothbrush and I’d really prefer that it remain dedicated to my teeth.

As a creative who reluctantly refers to herself as an artist, stress is a funny friend. Too little pressure, and it’s hard to get anything done. Too much, and you crack. It’s sort of like Goldilocks except that what your tasting might actually kill you.

Japanese businessmen have been dying of stress for a while now. They even have a term for it – Karoshi, literally translated as “death from overwork.” These men and women are not committing suicide from stress, but actually being killed by it, their bodies giving out under the psychological weight of work.

A little bit terrifying, no? The idea that your resilient body might one day give up on you for no better reason than an externally applied force that’s created by your own mind in the first place that’s squashing you like an egg in a vice. The egg can only take so much before it cracks.

I’m sure it’s not just Japanese businessmen who are dying of stress, but those are the ones who seem to be reported on most .

Some people pull out there hair when they are stressed. The compulsive desire to pull out ones hair is called Trichotillomania. It’s a fancy name for a pretty simple problem. I haven’t done this, but I can see the allure in it.

I was going to write more about this, but my dinner is done warming in the oven and I want to drink the coconut oolong tea I brewed before it gets cold. Homecooked meals and warm beverages are supposed to help combat stress, as are puppies. I’ve been surrounding myself with all three whilst pondering how long it takes eyebrow hairs to grow back and if I can pull off the half-eyebrow trend until then.

Maybe I’ll make it a thing. I can see the Marie Claire article now, “Trend Alert: Asymmetrical Eyebrows Are In.” By then mine would likely be back to normal. Maybe my hair would be falling out instead.

I should drink more tea.