I was reading the NY Times Book Review this morning. In one book, a
claim apparently is made that a person's hair turned white while being
tortured over a period of several days. It seems obvious that the claim
being made is this: intense fear can cause a person's hair to turn white
very rapidly (over a period of hours or days). Many of us have heard
this claim before. Does anyone have any evidence that this can happen?
It seems unlikely to me because I can't think of any physical mechanism
that might cause hair to change color so rapidly. If it is a myth, where
does it come from?
Jeff
P.S. I have a large amount of white hair. Have I repressed an
emotionally traumatic incident from my past? Should I go into therapy to
try to recover this memory? Actually, I kinda' like my white hair: it
makes me look like a young Phil Donahue. Do you think my repressed
memory has anything to do with Phil Donahue??!!
--
Jeffry P. Ricker, Ph.D. Office Phone: (480) 423-6213
9000 E. Chaparral Rd. FAX Number: (480) 423-6298
Psychology Department [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626
"The truth is rare and never simple."
Oscar Wilde
"Science must begin with myths and with the criticism of myths"
Karl Popper
