Does eczema affect body image?

I know 100% that having eczema all my life has affected my body image and how I have judged, quote wrongly, my worth and value in this world. I was really fortunate to have CBT counselling a few years ago and was shocked to discover how wrapped up my fears, anxieties and completely wrong judgements stemmed from how having eczema made my feel, as a human, as a woman and how I felt deep shame, guilt and dirtiness as a result.

Writing, journaling and poetry makes up a huge part of my ongoing self care practise and I think it always will. If you’re nodding your head in agreement, read on to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity:

If so, please consider helping psychologists at the University of Sheffield test whether a one-week online writing intervention could improve body image in individuals living with a dermatological condition, and be in with a chance to win a £50 voucher.

Who can take part?

Anyone:

• Age 18 or over
• Living with a dermatological condition (e.g. Eczema, TSW, acne, hair loss, excess hair, psoriasis, vitiligo) that affects their body image
• Living anywhere in the world who has an internet connection and can read and write in English.
• Willing to complete 3 writing tasks over the course of 1-week.

What will it involve?

You will be asked to complete three 15-minute online writing tasks over the course of a week. You will also be asked to complete several questionnaires before the first writing task, after the final writing task and one month later. As this is a Randomised Controlled Trial, you will be randomly assigned to either:

1. The writing intervention or
2. A control writing task. (If you are allocated to the control tasks, you will be able to download the intervention materials at the end of the study.)

Please follow this link below to find out more and take part (I’d allow about 30 minutes for the first set of questionnaires and writing task 1): 

Can a one-week online writing intervention improve body image in adults living with a skin condition?

Please contact Dr Kate Adkins (Trainee Clinical Psychologist, University of Sheffield) via k.adkins@sheffield.ac.uk for further information or if you experience any difficulties completing the study.

I’m fascinated to see how some of you get on with this and love it if you could keep me posted. I think I’m going to give a go myself to help the study as I’m definitely a case of YES it helps!