Note: This account only posts external research that has been approved by the NAS research team.
Research background
This study is being run by Emma Dunford, a trainee clinical psychologist at University College London (UCL), as part of her doctoral research. We want to understand how people in the UK seek and access help for worries about their appearance. Many people have ongoing concerns about how they look and manage them by checking mirrors, comparing themselves to others, hiding features or avoiding situations. These worries can relate to any part of the body or face, and are sometimes linked to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), though you do not need a diagnosis to take part. We still know little about how people in the UK access support, so we would like to hear from anyone who has had these worries, whether or not they have been able to get help.
Who can take part?
We are looking for people aged 18 or over who can read English and have experienced appearance worries at any point, now or in the past. We are keen to hear from people of all ages, genders and ethnic backgrounds. We'd also really like to hear from autistic people.
What does taking part involve?
Taking part means completing an anonymous online survey about your experiences, which takes around 20 minutes.
Reimbursement details
Everyone who takes part can enter a prize draw with a 1 in 9 chance of winning a £20 voucher.
Contact details
To take part or ask questions, contact Emma Dunford at emma.dunford20@ucl.ac.uk.