Flat head syndrome may affect psychological wellbeing later in life.
A psychosocial consequence of having an ‘abnormal’ head shape is the emotional difficulties that a person might face throughout childhood and possibly into later life. We know from evolutionary theory and everyday experience that we automatically make assumptions about people based on physical appearance, and it takes a conscious effort to disregard these innate misconceptions.
Research has shown that people with symmetrical features are considered more attractive and more intelligent than those with asymmetrical features. Even if one should ignore these automatic responses, there may still be peers, teachers and caregivers who will react negatively to an abnormality, perhaps viewing affected individuals as less intelligent and even teasing or bullying them.
Many of the older children and teenagers who contact us feel let down by their doctors and report to us that they feel socially alienated as a result of their unusual head shapes. They feel that they are unable to wear certain hairstyles, opting instead to conceal the deformity as best they can. Sadly, in some cases, their lack of confidence is impacting on their ability to socialise and preventing them from doing what they want to do in life.