The prevalence of anxiety disorders has increased in the last decadeand experts warn that in the case of children and adolescents, stress is increasing alarmingly.
The Spanish Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AEPNYA) states that this increase will have a great impact on psychiatric illnesses in adults in the next decade.
In reality, anxiety is something that we have all felt at some point in our lives. It is a normal emotion, which is even adaptive. Just before an important exam, for example, anxiety may manifest. Anxiety usually appears in situations of stress and uncertainty.
Now, when anxiety causes some degree of functional deterioration in the life of the individual who suffers from it, affecting different areas of their life (for example, work, interpersonal relationships, etc.), what is known as anxiety is diagnosed. anxiety disorder. There are different types of anxiety disorder: Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Social Phobia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Agoraphobia and Specific Phobia.
Apps to treat anxiety
Along with the increase in the prevalence of anxiety disorders, new technologies have also been developed. This has caused psychology experts to try to merge their knowledge about the mind and behavior with technological advances. For example, the new Virtual Reality Therapy.
However, there are technological advances that are more within our reach than Virtual Reality Therapy. A clear example is applications for smartphones.. In recent years, mobile apps have appeared that aim to reduce anxiety symptoms. Although they are not useful for severe cases, they can be effective for less severe cases.
Although these applications do not replace a psychologist, below you can find a list with several apps to treat anxiety.
1. Psychologist Plus
Psychologist Plus is a digital platform where, by filling out a simple test, you will find suggested psychotherapists who adapt to what you need and will assist you by video call. It is a very good option if you are looking for psychological assistance at an affordable price and without having to leave home.
2. Worry Watch
Anxiety is often manifested by imagining negative and unrealistic future scenarios. Worry Watch is an app whose purpose is to make it possible to manage irrational and unjustified worries or thoughts. Features a diary that helps track user concernsincluding thought it might happen and how the situation actually ended.
As your use of the app increases, you can monitor trends and learn from your worry and anxiety patterns. By observing one’s own thoughts and the actual consequences, one begins to become aware that these thoughts are, in many cases, irrational.
3. What’s up?
In the treatment of anxiety it is very important to be aware that you suffer from this psychological phenomenon, and thus understand how your thoughts affect your emotions and behaviors. This can make the difference between having a panic attack and rationally approaching your fear and worry with a more open mind. That is, it is key to learning to manage this phenomenon and to reduce the intensity of your symptoms.
This app uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to instruct its users on how to identify negative thinking patterns and sources of anxiety. It features breathing techniques, habit and anxiety trackers, positive quotes, forums, and even a game.
Anxiety insomnia is common in situations where a person is stressed or has excessive worries. Sleeping well can make the difference between having a good day or a bad day. Sleep Time allows you to sleep with ambient and relaxing sounds. It also allows you to track your sleep patterns and provides you with information about the quality of your sleep hygiene.
5. Stress Doctor
Rather than Stress Doctor, this app should be called Stress Psychologist. It’s an app useful for people who regularly face panic attacks and anxietywhich uses the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach to help users reframe their destructive thinking patterns that may lead to or worsen their anxiety. Offers breathing exercises, an anxiety journal, and other options.
6. Headspace
A mindfulness-based app, with mindfulness and meditation techniques to help manage stress and anxiety, improve well-being and be happier in general. Guided meditations are designed to train the brain in just 10 minutes a day, with the ability to record progress and help practice self-compassionalong with a buddy system so that one can stay motivated and help others do the same.
7. Nature Sounds Relax and Sleep
Relaxation can be difficult when someone suffers from anxiety. But the sound of nature can help you relax and sleep better. This app was created to help users find calm. Different options include waterfall, night in the jungle, bird sounds and thunder. You can also use the app as an alarm.
8. Anxiety Free
High levels of stress can worsen anxiety symptoms, which is why stress management techniques are often recommended for people with anxiety. The Anxiety Free App uses self-hypnosis techniques to help reduce stress and reduce feelings of anxiety. Lessons are guided and developed by Donald Mackinnon and last 90 minutes each.
Learning to manage anxiety requires, first of all, knowing how to recognize it. With this mood tracking app, you simply need to enter how you feel at any time of the day and you can use these entries to track and identify patterns of behavior and thinking.
10. Worry Box
Worry Box in Spanish means worry box. This app was created to help people deal with worry and learn how to effectively manage this paralyzing emotion. When we face this kind of distress, the app helps us. gives a list of coping expressions to help us reframe thoughts. It also includes relaxation audios to help induce calm.
11. Breathe2Relax
This app is easy to use. Developed by the National Center for Telehealth & Technology, this app guides us through diaphragmatic breathing (or “belly breathing”) and allows us to write down and memorize our own stress level. It also offers informative videos on the consequences of stress.
