CONTENT
       Overview
Background
Research & Findings
Solution
Design Process
UX Flow
Key Features
Future Vision
   

       
MindSailing
Guided Self-Help CBT Therapy Service for Bulimia Patients to Overcome Barriers to Professional Help


OVERVIEW
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder marked by cycles of binge eating and purging, often leading to intense shame and making self-recovery difficult. To address this, I designed a four-week guided self-help program aimed at lowering barriers to professional help. Grounded in the concept of "mind sailing," the project encourages self-exploration and personal breakthroughs.

Despite the project’s sensitive nature, I conducted a proxy-based online workshop and expert interviews to identify gaps in existing mental healthcare services. Although the project was conceptual, it allowed me to explore AR technology and editorial design, expanding my skills and experimenting with new interaction mediums.

ROLE
Self-guided project
User Researcher
UI/UX Designer

DURATION

3 months
Sep 2022 - Nov 2022

SKILLS
  • Co-design Workshop Moderation
  • Online Ethnographic Studies
  • Expert Interviews
  • Questionnaires Analysis
  • Empathy Mapping
  • Storyboard Creation
  • Journey Mapping
  • 3D Modelling & AR Design
  • Editorial Design
  • UX Flow Mapping
  • UI Prototying
  • A/B Testing

TOOLS




CONTEXT

Understanding Eating Disorder, the Unseen Struggles with Food


Globally, 9% of the population suffers from eating disorders,  with 26% of these individuals having attempted suicide.

Eating Disorder (ED) requires mental health interventions.
Food is a vital part of our growth and development. However, not everyone enjoys a harmonious relationship with it. The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) identifies eight types of eating disorders requiring attention and treatment, with bulimia nervosa being one of the more complex types. Unlike binge eating disorder, bulimia includes compensatory purging behaviors. Unlike anorexia, it is harder to detect because the individual's weight and BMI may remain within the normal range.






Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is filling a hungry heart with a full stomach



RESEARCH &  FINDINGS

Deconstructing the Pain Points of BN




Research Methods
Questionnaire
Online Ethnography
Co-design Workshop

Expert Interview





Co-design workshop snapshot
Given the sensitive nature of the project, I conducted a proxy-based online workshop to explore the factors influencing diet decisions. This research aimed to compare and contrast the mindsets and diet choices of individuals with and without bulimia, helping to identify potential design opportunities to break the bulimia cycle.


Participants


Agenda
Workshop activities







Empathy Mapping


Identify Key Bulimia Nervosa Archetypes








Questionnaire  Synthesis
01





Many struggle with unhealthy food relationships, even if undiagnosed. Bingeing and compensatory behaviors are common.

02




Unhealthy eating behaviors stem from deeper emotional needs and real-life issues. Causes are varied and interconnected.


03




Society has low awareness of eating disorders. Many can't recognize bulimia symptoms or know how to support affected individuals.


Current service ecology map



Challenges & Opportunities




Identify Product Market Gap Competitive analysis revealed that existing mental health apps rarely focus specifically on the niche area of eating disorders, particularly bulimia. While some specialized apps do offer practical functionality, they often lack aesthetic appeal and their explicit naming (e.g., including "eating disorder" in the title) can create a psychological burden for users, potentially deterring them from seeking help.


SOLUTION


Centered on "MindSailing," this 4-week guided self-help recovery journey is designed for potential and mild-to-moderate bulimia nervosa patients. Through a journey guide and a mobile app, we provide a sustainable and accessible recovery experience, aiming for self-exploration and breakthroughs. The journey includes regular remote psychological consultations for critical guidance and integrates innovative AR interaction and CBT therapy. Users engage with daily CBT mindfulness cards and wish gacha machines to gradually disconnect from symptoms and regain healthy autonomy. We believe this guided self-help approach offers deeper support, guiding patients to a healthier, more confident future.










ITERATION

Key Wirefrmaes & User Testings







Booklet Prototype

Prototyping tools
OptionA: As a folded flyer
OptionB: As a fan zine

3D Modelling

Gacha machine model

CBT Exercise Card

A/B Testing








VISION

Rewriting the Bulimia Narrative by MOT curation

The MindSailing metaphor was intentionally chosen to inspire and encourage individuals on their recovery journey. Just as sailing involves navigating through uncharted waters, this program is designed to help users explore their minds, overcome challenges, and achieve personal breakthroughs in their journey towards recovery. 

To address the dissociative states often experienced in psychological disorders, I integrated AR technology into the solution, grounded in CBT therapy. This included the use of mindfulness card exercises and a gacha capsule approach for contextual interventions, creating a more engaging and immersive recovery experience.


Ideal user journey




Storyboard

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