Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
In the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; elsewhere, use local emergency or crisis services.
Urgent mental health support is appropriate for thoughts of self-harm or feeling unable to stay safe.
Follow-up plans depend on whether the hair loss is stable, improving, or spreading and whether treatment is being used.
Photographs taken under similar lighting can help track changes.
Clinicians may also assess eyebrow, eyelash, body-hair, and nail involvement.
Schedule routine follow-up if new patches appear, regrown hair falls out, nail changes become troublesome, or treatment is not meeting agreed goals.
An earlier assessment is appropriate if the scalp becomes painful, very red, swollen, crusted, or draining, since these findings are not typical of uncomplicated alopecia areata.
The article also says
People using prescription treatment may need visits to check effectiveness, side effects, and whether laboratory monitoring is required.
Treatment should not be stopped, restarted, or combined with another immune-modifying medicine without discussing it with the prescriber.
Tell a healthcare professional if hair loss is affecting sleep, appetite, mood, relationships, school, or work.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Alopecia areata. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.