Would you like to join a paid research project group?
My name is Angie and I’m a Clinical Psychologist who has worked with young people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in the NHS for over 13 years. I’ve recently received funding from the Wellcome Trust to complete a three-year PhD fellowship at King’s College London. I will be exploring an important question:
What role does shame play in BDD, and how can we help young people who experience it?
What Is the Expert Advisory Group?
The Expert Advisory Group (EAG) is a small but important team of people who will help guide the research across the whole project. Everyone will bring different experiences and perspectives, helping make sure the research is relevant and meaningful.
The group will include:
- Two young people with lived experience
- An adult with lived experience
- A parent or caregiver with lived experience
- A clinician with specialist knowledge
Would I be right for the role?
We are keen to hear from anyone who is interested in being involved. The only requirements are that the individual is:
- Aged 16-24
- Has lived experience of BDD
- Feels able to engage in discussions within a small mixed group (although there will be an option to meet separately)
- Is interested in the role of shame in BDD
- It would also be great if (but not necessary!) if you are interested in research!
What Would I Be Doing?
You don’t need previous research experience. Your lived experience and perspective are what matter most. As a member of the group, you would:
- Share your opinions and ideas
- Help review research plans
- Give feedback on materials
- Help interpret findings
- Advise on how results should be shared
What Commitment is Involved?
Meetings will take place:
- Online via video call
- Around once every 3 months
- Approximately 90 minutes
- Some light preparation beforehand (such as reading a short summary)
The project will run for three years, and ideally group members will stay involved throughout that time so we can build strong working relationships together. Of course, we understand that circumstances can change, and we can discuss any concerns about commitment.
Payment
You’ll be paid for your time:
- £27.50 per hour for meetings and preparation work
- £5 per meeting for internet/remote working costs
Why Get Involved?
This is a chance to:
- Make a real difference to future BDD research
- Ensure young people’s voices are heard
- Develop new skills and learn about research
- Meet and work alongside professionals and people with lived experience
- Help create better support for future young people experiencing BDD
What Is the Research About?
BDD involves intense worries about appearance that can have a big impact on daily life.
Current treatments don’t work for everyone, and we know that feelings of shame are often an important part of the difficulties young people experience.
This project aims to:
- Review what we already know about shame and BDD
- Learn from young people, families and clinicians
- Explore how shame affects day-to-day experiences
- Co-design a new intervention that specifically targets shame
- Test whether this new approach is acceptable and helpful for young people
Interested?
If you’d like to learn more about joining the group, simply email me at the address below and we can arrange a chat. There is absolutely no obligation to take part, and I’d be very happy to answer any questions you may have.