Ganlin Li

Section heading

Introduction

Fat shaming often leads to eating disorders, a problem particularly prevalent among adolescent females. This harm isn’t limited to those with the disorder; their family and friends also feel helpless, anxious, and overwhelmed.

To help individuals with eating disorders regulate their emotions and feel cared for, and to help their loved ones develop empathy and communication skills, “Veridia” created, the target users are those with eating disorders and their support network.

Veridia uses a “emotional farm” to help users visualize and understand the inner world of someone with an eating disorder. By interacting with this farm, family and friends can express warmth and encouragement, working together toward a shared health goal.

The AI dialogue coach and “mood theater” help both parties express their struggles and conflicts while receiving personalized advice. The “rehabilitation knowledge hub” provides professional knowledge, empowering users to face their situation with confidence. The online community ensures users don’t feel alone on their healing journey, offering a sense of hope and solidarity.

4 Key Functions

The UI is divided into two interfaces: one for individuals with eating disorders and one for their family and friends.

Users can use the app alone or link their accounts with others.

Why use it first ?

All types of users should first assess their current symptoms or situation. Upon their first use, they are required to learn relevant background information.

For individuals with eating disorders, using certain features (like AI dialogue coach) directly might be psychologically challenging. Providing a safe, low-pressure knowledge base first can help them prepare mentally.
By having users learn about the condition first, we can challenge their misconceptions and feelings of shame, which aligns with the design principle of “destigmatization.”

Personalised Advice and Analysis

The Emotional Farm allows individuals to visualise and record their feelings in a diary. They can choose different elements or add text to represent their mood. This helps the AI learn and provide more personalised advice.

If they choose to share, their family and friends can see their Emotional Farm, view the AI’s analysis to understand their inner world, and interact with them. They can also see if the individual is open to communicating at that moment, based on their settings.

For family and friends using the app alone, they can also record their daily interactions with the individual, creating a “emotional farm” from their perspective. This helps the AI learn and provide tailored advice.

On this page, they can view the individual’s “mood theater” to understand the conflicts they face, then click to jump to the AI conversation coach for behavioral advice.

In addition to the Emotional Farm, there is also a Target Goal Farm. Users can collaborate to set a “plant” as a goal, complete tasks together, and earn rewards. For example, if they choose an “apple tree,” they can receive real apples upon completion, which encourages healthy eating.

How it works ？

AI dialogue coach–When a user asks a question, the AI provides a response and guidance. The user can then challenge or “rebut” the AI, which helps it continuously learn and improve.

Mood Theater：The AI serves as a confidant, allowing individuals with eating disorders to express their internal, unspoken conflicts. If they choose to share, their family and friends can use the “theater script” and analysis to understand their pain and learn how to offer more effective support.