Would you say that to a friend? - A study of feelings towards your body when experiencing symptoms of a visible skin condition.

The My Changed Body intervention will be accessed by participants in two sessions: (1) the complete My Changed Body writing exercise (2) a brief version of the MyCB writing exercise. The complete My Changed Body writing exercise is designed to enhance self-compassion through a series of 6 guided self-compassion writing prompts. It has been developed for use in the breast cancer context and successfully trialed and published. A pilot study also supports that My Changed Body immediately increased self-compassion in individuals with visible skin conditions. The writers begin the writing exercise with a general description of a negative event related to changes in their body. This is proceeded by a sequence of 5 brief writing prompts which aims to assist participants to view their skin condition negative body-related experience in a more self-compassionate light. The exercise entails approximately 20 minutes of writing in an online environment. All participants must complete all writing exercises. Participants are able to complete the initial survey and writing exercise in a location of their choosing, as long as they have internet access. To progress through the study, participants will need to progress through the writing task. Any participants not choosing to complete the writing will be able to withdraw from the study through their non-completion and by closing the browser. An example of the writing prompts is: Kind advice:  Keeping in mind how your body has changed as a result of having a skin condition, please write a paragraph showing understanding, kindness, and concern for yourself in a way you would help a friend who had undergone the experience. Secondly, participants will access the brief version the My Changed Body intervention. The brief My Changed Body intervention is an extension of the complete MyCB writing task and with 1 prompt to write self-compassionately (i.e. with kindness) about their personal situation. This will be administered 1 week following the initial intervention. The researchers will email participants with a link to a brief version of the intervention. With additional reminder emails at 24 and 36 hours after the link has been sent. The brief version of the intervention is expected to take 10 minutes to complete. This session begins by reminding participants about their previous self-compassionate writing session. This is followed by the prompt example below: This session you will write a second self-compassionate letter to yourself. Try to write in a way that expresses kindness and understanding in relation to your skin condition. What are you needing to say to yourself? What would you say to all people who are struggling with these issues?