Great App for Support – anxietyhelper Review

AnxietyHelper receives a 5/5. Its user-friendly and peaceful aura makes it an app that is functional, gentle and helpful to use. The app provides many resources for those struggling with mental health issues and even provides a tool to use during a panic attack. The plethora of resources is extremely helpful to those who may not have access to such resources. Not only does the app provide tools to cope and information on certain diagnoses, but it also provides service providers based on your location. This being the nearest police department, emergency room, or even chapel. Furthermore, the app’s tools utilize various techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), as illustrated by allowing the user to write out and process their current state and emotion. Therefore, certain tools prompt self-reflection which may allow the person to relax and reframe the way they are perceiving and reacting to things. The one weakness of this app is some spelling errors and the minor unprofessional language throughout the tools. However, as this app is marketed as 12+, it seems appropriate for the population it is targeting. ​Learning about the background of the app developer really affirmed this rating. Amanda created something that she needed when she was struggling, and now she has given that to everyone today through her app, for free. Furthermore, the ability to utilize this app solo may be beneficial to adolescent girls. According to Laser and Nicotera (2010), adolescent females need higher levels and opportunity to beindependent for development of behavioral regulation. In addition, the app allows users to write out and question what may have triggered the emotional response. When adolescents can name and understand their emotions, they are able to control these emotions which can reduce impulsivity to act immediately on their emotions (Laser & Nicotera, 2010). Therefore, the app’s tools which allow someone to self-regulate and cope with their emotions may strengthen resilience and self-regulation in it’s users, specifically for adolescents. In addition, this app may provide users with the sense of connection with others, perhaps feel not alone in their struggles. Once you open the app, “here to help”, gently appears and fades. Social connectedness is an important aspect to adolescent development, and rather than this app fueling exclusion or victimizations (Barry, Sidoti, Briggs, Reiter & Lindsey, 2017), perhaps this app is a remedy to other apps or social media outlets that so many teens utilize daily. This app provides easy access to feeling supported and connected to others, ultimately feeling that they are not alone. This may be a deterrent to self-harm or worsening of mental illness symptoms.
Review by greenplantz on anxietyhelper.