PTSD Coach: New i-Phone App

Yes, there is an app for just about everything, including PTSD management. I downloaded “PTSD Coach” last night on my i-phone and have to say it is a handy little tool.

PTSD Coach has all sorts of exercises someone can use to calm down and reorient themselves when they are triggered or feeling anxious.  The exercises are all instantly accessible, easy to use, and even customizable with your own photos and songs. You can choose from a progressive muscle relaxation exercise, visual imagery, music you enjoy, the RID exercise- which helps you identify the anxiety trigger and get present- and many more.

In addition there are assessment tools, charts to monitor progress, education modules that explain causes and symptoms of PTSD as well as treatment options. Last there is a support module that links you to online resources or your own personal support contacts that you enter from your phone.

PTSD Coach was created by the VA’s National Center for PTSD and the DoD’s National Center for Telehealth and Technology.

The VA stresses that people who think they have PTSD should also seek professional help and only use the app as an adjunct to professional counseling and therapy. I agree. While this tool can be somewhat useful when someone is having a mild to moderate level of anxiety, these are somewhat lightweight tools that won’t work so well for someone experiencing severe flashbacks or anxiety.

Fortunately, there are therapy options such as Rapid Resolution Therapy that can clear these severe reactions. Now we just need to create a Rapid Resolution Therapy app and we’ll have all the bases covered!