Anxiety Research

Researchers

If you are undertaking research in the field of anxiety disorders, would like to recruit participants for your study and have your research listed on this page, please submit details of your study via the research submission form. We require a small payment of £20 for each research listing placed. This payment helps us to cover some of the cost involved with updating the website.

Please note that research requests will not be processed without receipt of payment. You can pay for your research request by clicking here.

You can also include your research listing in our members’ magazine, Anxious Times, for £50. For more details about this, email media@anxietyuk.org.uk.

Anxiety UK’s Policy on Research

Anxiety UK is committed to raising the awareness and understanding of anxiety disorders. Our aim is to help with research where possible and we receive many requests from students conducting research projects. Please note: we are unable to take responsibility for any treatment or experience that participants may undergo should they choose to take up the research listed on this page.

Anxiety UK’s policy is to assist research at post-graduate level where the work involved will raise the profile of anxiety disorders and increase understanding and treatment.

Unfortunately we cannot help with undergraduate research projects.

Research into anxiety

The involvement of others in symptoms related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Do you experience symptoms of OCD and have ten minutes to spare? Have you lived with someone with OCD-related symptoms for at least six months? Could you spare half an hour to complete a short survey online?

Why Participate in this Research?

Family and friends can often get caught up in their partner or relative’s symptoms of OCD and research suggests this may not be helpful for them or their loved one. We need to know more so that mental health professionals can develop better treatments – not just for people living with symptoms of OCD, but also for those who live with them.

Whether or not you decide to take part in this research, your decision will have no effect on any care or treatment you are receiving, or will receive in the future.

I am looking for:

  • People who experience OCD symptoms; and
  • People that live with them (that is, partners, spouse, carers, family member or friend).

What is Involved?

To take part you must be:

  • Aged between 18 and 65;
  • Have been living with the other person for at least six months;
  • Able to answer some questionnaires which will take approximately 10 minutes for the person with OCD-related difficulties to complete and around 30 minutes for those that live with them (family member/ carer etc.). That’s it!

What to do next:

People experiencing OCD-related symptoms:

If you are interested in taking part, please follow the link below for more information about the study: http://www.fahs.surrey.ac.uk/survey/OCDresearch/

Alternatively, contact me, Lucy Hale by e-mail directly at: l.hale@surrey.ac.uk, or on my mobile (07585285279) for further information.

People living with someone with OCD:

  • The person OCD symptoms who you live with needs to have completed their questionnaires before you are able to take part. Feel free to tell them about the study and show them this information.
  • Once they have completed their survey, please follow the link above for more information about the study and to complete your set of questionnaires.

This study is being completed as part of my Clinical Psychology doctoral research at the University of Surrey by Lucy Hale and is being supervised by Dr Clara Strauss and Dr Blake Stobie.

It has been approved by a group of independent people (a Research Ethics Committee) to protect your rights, dignity, well-being and safety. The study has been given a favourable ethical opinion by the Faculty of Arts & Human Sciences at the University of Surrey Ethics Committee (reference: 732-PSY-12 (FEO/NHS)) and also the South East Coast (Surrey) NHS Research Ethics Committee (reference: 12/LO/0053).

Your participation in this research would be much appreciated as it could help shape interventions for suffers of OCD and support for people who live with someone affected by OCD. Unfortunately we will not be able to reimburse you for your time, should you wish to take part. However, as a token of appreciation, there will be an option to enter a prize draw for high street vouchers.

Living with Body Dysmorphic Disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

I would like to invite you to participate in my research focusing on the experience of adults living with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

If you are an adult with a formal diagnosis of either BDD or OCD, you can participate. Participation will entail a single 45-90 minute interview, which will be recorded and transcribed for analysis. All interviews will remain confidential, and the research material will only be shared with my supervisors at the University of Wolverhampton.

All research material will be anonymized to protect the identity of participants. Participants can choose to withdraw at any time, at which point their material will be destroyed.

This research study has been granted ethical approval through the University of Wolverhampton as part of my Doctorate studies in Counselling Psychology, and will be supervised by Dr. Yvette Primrose (y.primrose@wlv.ac.uk) and Dr. Neil Morris (n.g.morris@wlv.ac.uk) at the University.

If you would like to discuss this research and perhaps would consider participating, please send me an email.

Contact person: Lelanie Smook

Email: l.j.smook@wlv.ac.uk

Emotions Matter

Help us to refine ways of working with people who may be distressed by their emotional reactions. Participate in an important new online psychology study on emotions at http://www.emotionsmatter.org.uk/

We are a research group based at Canterbury University looking at ways that people manage their emotions. This research is in the form of a short anonymous survey.

By participating, you will also be entered into a draw to receive a £50 Amazon.com voucher.

Expiry Date: 01/05/2012

Contact Person: Maina Amin

Phone: 07980262171

Email: m.amin231@canterbury.ac.uk

Website: www.emotionsmatter.org.uk/

Brain wave activity in OCD

The Open University is currently investigating brain activity in people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Could differences in the ‘brain waves’ explain why some sufferers respond well to medication and/or psychotherapy whilst others may not? The more we know about potential neurophysiological (i.e. brain) differences between sufferers, the more we may be able to progress towards personalized forms of treatment.

We are recruiting people with OCD between 18 and 70 years of age without learning disabilities to participate in the study. If you decide to participate, we will need four hours of your time (either morning or afternoon) or two sessions of about two hours each that can be scheduled according to your convenience. During this time, your brain activity will be recorded using a non invasive technique known as Quantitative Electroencephalography. You will also be interviewed and asked to fill two questionnaires.

The study has been approved by the Open University’s Human Ethics Committee.

By participating in this study, you will be contributing to scientific advancements in OCD research. The study does not involve any therapy but you may gain interesting insights about OCD and the brain.

Contact Person: Loes Koorenhof

Phone: 01908659472

Email: l.j.koorenhof@open.ac.uk

What role can social anxiety play in the formation of our character and the meaning of our lives?

I am seeking people to interview for my Master’s degree research into the role that social anxiety/phobia can play in the formation of our character and the meaning of our lives.

Interviews will be free and confidential, and will last an hour, and will be held in either central London or Rochester, Kent.

This study forms part of a Master’s degree undertaken through the Centre for Counselling & Psychotherapy Education (CCPE) and validated by Northampton University. My research proposal and statement of ethics have been approved by CCPE and the University.

Contact Person: Barbara Lowden

Phone: 0208 854 4074, 07854 724502

Email: barbaralowden@hotmail.co.uk

Website: www.barbaralowden.co.uk

Have you experienced a talking treatment that has made you feel worse or “gone wrong” in some way?

Researchers from the University of Sheffield are carrying out a study to find out what happens when therapy or counselling (any type of talking treatment or psychological therapy) makes someone feel worse or “goes wrong” in some way. This will help us to develop some practical ways to identify and prevent therapies from failing.

If you have experienced therapy as a client or therapist, that you feel has gone wrong we are keen to hear from you. It doesn’t matter whether the therapy took place in the NHS or not, but it must have taken place in England and you must have been 18 years or over at the time.

To take part in the study, you will need to complete a questionnaire. After this, you may be asked to take part in an interview or focus group (although there is no obligation to do so).

For further information or to complete a questionnaire, please visit the study website:

www.shef.ac.uk/scharr/sections/hsr/mh/mhresearch/adept

 

Males required for research study investigating Social Phobia

Do you consider yourself anxious in social or performance situations? For example are you anxious at social gatherings, when giving a talk to a group of people or talking with people you do not know very well?

We are looking for males who present as socially anxious, aged between 18 – 55 years and are non smokers.

This research study will take place at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge where you will be invited to attend for 2 hours a week for three weeks. As a thank you, you will be compensated for your time.

If you are interested in taking part or would like more information please contact Becci Elford on 01223 768503 or rjc84@cam.ac.uk.

Expiry Date: June, 2012

A study of the experience of failed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Panic Disorder

We are conducting research investigating people’s experiences of past Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for panic disorder which for whatever reason did not work out for them. We are interested in gaining an insight into people’s experiences and the reasons they may have discontinued therapy or found that it didn’t work for them.

What’s involved?

If you would like to take part you will be asked to participate in an interview that will ask you about your past experiences of CBT. You will also be asked about your thoughts on the idea of undertaking CBT delivered in a time intensive format. Finally you will be asked to complete a questionnaire that asks about your past experiences of CBT.

How long will it take?

The interview can be conducted over the phone or in person and will take approximately 1 hour. The questionnaire will be posted to you before the interview and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Is it confidential?

Yes. Strict ethical practice will be followed. All of the information that you provide will be handled in confidence and kept securely.

This study is being completed as part of a doctoral research study and is supervised by Professor Paul Salkovskis.

Ethical Approval Reference: This study has been approved by the South West-Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 11/SW/0039).

Expiry Date: 1st February, 2012

Contact Person: Josie Millar

Phone: 01225 385506

Email: jfam20@bath.ac.uk

Aspects of parenting and anxiety

There is now a lot of evidence that people who suffer from an anxiety disorder are more likely than average to have a relative who suffers from a similar problem. Whilst this may be partly due to shared genes, it is also likely that experiences and attitudes gained when growing up also play a role. However, little is known about how or which experiences might be related to anxiety, and importantly what experiences may protect against developing anxiety in later life.

If we understood more about these processes, it may help us prevent the development of anxiety in future generations. We are looking to recruit fathers with anxiety disorders with children aged 7-12 who live with their children. Participation will involve an interview conducted over the phone and questionnaires for fathers, their children and their partner.

Time and travel expenses will be reimbursed. This research is being done at the Institute of Psychiatry, London by Rebecca Chilvers, Fiona Challacombe and Paul Salkovskis.

Contact Person: Dr Rebecca Chilvers

Phone:07842 047339

Email: Rebecca.chilvers@kcl.ac.uk

Understanding Fear of Incontinence

Do you worry about losing control of your bladder or bowels?

Living with a fear of incontinence is particularly distressing and disabling. People with this fear often report that it causes them great distress, limiting their day-to-day activities and disrupting social relationships.

This debilitating fear is currently poorly understood and those affected often suffer in silence without receiving help. Through this important research we hope to learn more about the concerns of people who fear being incontinent in public.

We are looking for participants to complete an online questionnaire, as part of our study, which is being conducted at University College London.

Your information will increase our knowledge of this particularly distressing disorder, helping us to develop new and effective treatments which can improve the quality of people’s lives.

If you experience this fear, please click here to find out more about the study.

Contact Person: Rosanna Pajak

Phone: 07810631989

Email: rosannapajak@hotmail.co.uk

Website: https://opinio.ucl.ac.uk/s?s=13853

PARADES Anxiety & Bipolar Disorder Study

This study is part of the PARADES program grant, a large NIHR funded research program which includes 5 studies investigating different aspects of bipolar disorder. This study is the anxiety project, evaluating a newly adapted psychological intervention for individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder who also experience anxiety. The intervention is based on cognitive behavioural therapy and has been developed in collaboration with service users and health professionals. The project is recruiting now and is looking for individuals who live in the Manchester, Lancashire or Cumbria area.

Individuals who take part in the study will be randomly assigned to receive either the intervention or to continue with their usual treatment. Those individuals receiving the intervention will receive up to 10 therapy sessions with a trained psychological therapist, either at home or another place they feel comfortable. The therapy sessions will be delivered over a period of 4 months.

All participants taking part in the study will be followed up regularly by the research team and will have the opportunity to share their own experiences.

Contact: Kay Hampshire

Telephone: 01524 593541 / 07553388378

Email: k.hampshire@lancaster.ac.uk

Website: http://www.spectrumcentre.org/

Studying the biological basis of emotions in adolescents

Can we understand why some young people suffer from problems such as anxiety? Researchers at Oxford University are trying to find out

We are studying how the brain changes in response to emotional events.

We are looking for young people (aged between 12 and 17) who have difficulties with anxiety.

Please visit http://users.ox.ac.uk/~mert1768/ for more information and our contact details

Contact : Anneke Haddad

Telephone : 01865 271381

Email : anneke.haddad@psy.ox.ac.uk

Website : http://users.ox.ac.uk/~mert1768/

Survey of people with OCD and BDD struggling with referrals into specialist treatment centres

General Information

We are conducting a study looking at the difficulties people with OCD or BDD have experienced in accessing specialist help for their problems. If you have experienced difficulty obtaining referral to a national or regional specialist service when cognitive behaviour therapy or medication hasn’t worked locally we would like to ask you to complete either an online survey or a questionnaire through the post about the difficulties you have had, or are having. We are interested in hearing from people with OCD or BDD of all age ranges, including children and young people. If you have not had any difficulties accessing treatment or are happy with the treatment you are receiving and feel it is working for you, this study is not for you. Also, please only complete the survey if you live in the UK and are eligible for NHS treatment.

Ethical Issues

You are under no obligation to take part in the study and if you decide not to, it will not influence any treatment you are receiving presently or in the future. It is important to be aware that taking part in the study will not guarantee you receive treatment at a specialist centre. In order to be able to follow up on the difficulties people have accessing specialist treatment, we will need your name and contact details. This personal information will be safely stored and will not be accessed by anyone other than the researchers.

How to take part

If you wish to take part, please go to the link below, which will lead you to a questionnaire concerning your OCD or BDD and the problems you have experienced. If you do not have internet access and would like to take part, please contact us (see below) and we can send or email you a paper copy of the questionnaire.

How to contact us

If you have any questions about the study, or would like to complete a paper copy of the questionnaire by post or email, please contact Dr Anna Stout on 0203 228 2101, or at Anna.Stout@iop.kcl.ac.uk

Thank you

Dr Anna Stout

Dr David Veale

Professor Paul Salkovskis

Mr Blake Stobie

Dr Isobel Heyman

Dr Cynthia Turner

Contact : Dr Anna Stout

Telephone : 0203 228 2101

Email : Anna.Stout@iop.kcl.ac.uk

Website : http://survey.iop.kcl.ac.uk/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=14LH762

Panic attacks? Oxford University offers a free 4 week cognitive behavioural therapy course

Do you keep experiencing very strong physical symptoms like heart racing, breathlessness, dizziness or nausea? Are these symptoms related to strong fear of fainting, suffocating, or going mad? Does your GP not have a satisfactory explanation? You could have panic disorder.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy is an effective way of regaining control, independence and life quality. The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford offers prompt, free treatment as part of a research project to identify the mechanisms of successful therapy.

If you are interested in participating, and for more information, please follow the link below to complete a first online screening questionnaire, or contact us directly. Time and travel expenses are reimbursed.

https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/site/users/psyc0395/panic4/quest/

Contact : Dr Andrea Reinecke

Telephone : 01865 226471

Email : andrea.reinecke@psych.ox.ac.uk

Website : http://https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/site/users/psyc0395/panic4/quest/

Panic attacks during pregnancy?

Description: We are carrying out a study to understand the experience of pregnant women who suffer from panic disorder. Although there is so much research around panic disorder, there is not enough literature at the moment to explain why some women stop having panic attacks when they become pregnant, while others keep feeling terrified. This study aims to investigate the factors that contribute to the maintenance of the panic symptoms during pregnancy. Findings of this research will help develop more effective psychological treatments for pregnant women who suffer from panic disorder.

Participation in the research involves taking part in an interview lasting about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Women at any stage of their pregnancy can take part as long as they fit the criteria for panic disorder which needs to have started before the beginning of pregnancy.

The participation is voluntary and the person is free to withdraw at any time, without giving any reason. Anonymity will be preserved in the context of the written report through the use of pseudonyms. The interview will take place at a location of your convenience and by the end of it, there will be enough time for questions and relevant information. The study has been reviewed by the University of Surrey Research Ethics Committee and received full approval (Ref: 565-PSY-11).

If you are not certain if you fit the criteria for the study or would like more information about it please contact: Ourania Bouziou, (O.Bouziou@surrey.ac.uk).

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Contact Person: Ourania Bouziou

Phone: 07967769596

Email: O.Bouziou@surrey.ac.uk

Agoraphobia Study

Do you suffer from Agoraphobia? Are you or have you ever been housebound? If the answer to either of these is yes and you are over 18, I would very much appreciate your help.

I am a Post-graduate MSc Medical Anthropology student from Durham University. I am doing a project for the Fieldwork, Interpretation and Ethnographic Enquiry modules on the experiences of people suffering from Agoraphobia and who have subsequently become housebound. I would like to hear about how this illness has affected your life and I am interested to know what primary health care services you receive and whether or not these have been helpful.

The study is completely anonymous – no identifying information is required and participation is voluntary. There is a questionnaire to complete online, the link is given below. Most of the questions are free text, so you can write as much or as little as you like.

If you would like to know more about the study before you complete the questionnaire, you can email me on the address below. Please note that there is an underscore between ‘berry’ and ‘p’. Please be assured that all data collected will be treated in a confidential manner and your privacy will be respected at all times. The results of this study are for university modules only and will not be published.

Click here to take the survey

Contact name: Paula Berry

Email: berry_p@hotmail.co.uk