Anxiety isn't fun and everyone has experienced it to some degree. Since we've all got our smartphones in our hands all the time, it seems an app that could help manage anxiety would be a real lifesaver. An app that works but doesn't require dropping a large amount of money would be even better. Well, here are ten free apps that will help manage anxiety.
1. Anxiety Free
According to HealthLine, a clinic-based hypnotherapist, Donald MacKinnon, developed the app. It is designed to use self-hypnosis to help teach techniques for relaxation. The other aim is to alter subconscious thoughts to lead to more peaceful thoughts and moods in general.
2. Pacifica
This app teaches deep breathing and behavioral exercises. It also teaches the user how to identify negative thinking patterns and learn how to replace them with positive ones. It is one of the more personal apps, as it focuses on the cause of anxiety and personalizes itself using voice recordings. It also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as well as reinforcing exercises. This app is designed to be used in conjunction with therapy. It is reviewed and approved by the ADAA (the Anxiety and Depression Association of America)
3. Panic Relief
For those who suffer panic disorder, this easy-to-use app is another ADAA reviewed and approved app. It uses empirically supported coping tools to help handle panic attacks.
It uses muscle relaxation, rest, breathing, and other skills to help calm and safely move through a panic attack.
4. Self-Help Anxiety Management
This app focuses on the idea of mindfulness, or self-awareness. It helps you understand the causes of your anxiety and aids you to monitor it. It focuses on anxious thoughts and behaviors, and provides exercises to deal with them and private reflection.
Unlike some apps, this app is focused towards a specific age range of older teens and adults. This is ADAA reviewed and approved, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
5. MindShift
Another age targeted app, this one for adolescents and young adults. This app is to help gain basic skills to manage anxiety symptoms.
It is to help with a wide range of disorders including GAD, social anxiety, specific phobias, and panic attacks. It also helps manage excess worry, performance anxiety, test anxiety, and perfectionism. With a list of active coping strategies for the specific type of anxiety the user has, it allows a personalized experience. It also features a "Chill out" tool, which uses breathing exercises, mental imagery, and mindfulness strategies. "Quick Tips" are included to assist with anxiety in the moment. Users can favorite the methods that work for them. This is ADAA reviewed and approved.
6. Stop, Breathe & Think
Another mindfulness driven app, Stop, Breathe & Think uses the foundational methods of meditations.
Featured on This Way Up, a website by Professor Gavin Andrews and his team of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists backed by the Australian government, this app allows users to track feels before and after meditation and view yoga videos. The goal is to offer the chance and skills to just breathe and think. The meditations are goal oriented and are constructed to help calm down.
7. Live OCD Free
For children and adults with OCD, this app is designed to help aid CBT treatment. It includes ERP (exposure response prevention) exercises, reminders, and guide with custom and standard ERPs. It is highly personalizable, as well as reviewed and approved by the ADAA.
8. Breathe2Relax
This is an app by the National Center for Telehealth & Technology that teaches breathing techniques to manage stress.
The pace can be personalized for what is most relaxing to the user and includes a map to track personal progress. It helps manage fight-or-flight responses that during panic attacks, as well as aids in mood stabilization and anger control. It too is ADAA reviewed and approved.
9. Calm
Combining mindfulness and meditation to manage anxiety symptoms, this app is noted for its serene interface. It uses relaxing sounds and guided meditations. From building self-esteem to calming anxiety, it offers a variety of uses all aimed to help the user stay calm.
10. 7 Cups
Crunchbase discussed another helpful app worth taking a look. It at is 7 Cups. It functions as a therapy chat room, allowing the user to talk about problems causing stress or panic.
It can also act like a chat room to connect and discuss issues with others dealing with anxiety disorders. It is a confidential place to just talk. It also has over 300 mindfulness exercises. If that isn't enough, licensed therapists are also available.
There really is an app for anything.
