Anxiety Road Podcast: Apps

Showing posts with label Apps. Show all posts

ARP 381 - Smiling Mind App for Meditation and Mental Fitness

Apps, Meditation, Mindfulness, Technology

After a few minutes of an life update, I talk about the Smiling Minds app, a free resource designed to help practice meditation and also helps to build mental fitness.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

The Simply Noise app can help you with finding the right sound for your needs, that could be a frequency noise or a sound of nature. Windows users can go to the download section of the website and select the items that will give them an audio balm.

Smiling Mind app provides mindfulness and breathing resources but has evolved into a mental health support and fitness app. There are 700+ mindfulness items that you can use. There is also a mood tracker and other resources.

You can find the app on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

On the main website you can find an explainer page on how to use the app and some of the features.

One of those features is closed captioning.

Disclaimer:

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

WAVY News Segment on AI Chatbots

Apps, Awareness, Resource

This is a story from a television station in Virginia. It covers some of the concerns I mentioned in my episode on CBT and AI Apps. Only with a lot more stock footage. Some of that AI generated.

Minor quibble.

I'm glad that it mentioned that AI chatbots cannot diagnose or pick up on social or verbal clues to trouble. This story will reach older folks who do not know about apps, or are searching for help and didn't know this was an option.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

Psychology Today post on AI Chatbots for Mental Health: Opportunities and Limitations

The Conversation page on Your AI therapist is not your therapist: The dangers of relying on AI mental health chatbots.

Disclaimer:

ARP 374 - CBT and AI Apps

Apps, CBT, Technology

In this episode, a brief explanation of cognitive behavioral therapy and then an overview of the mental health apps that claim to provide treatment or support resources.

There are a lot of companies that are trying to convince insurance companies, private businesses and consumers that their app is the one to help treat mental health issues.

Just one problem. There is only (at this time in January 2025) that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows the smartphone Rejoyn app to be recognized as a treatment for depression.

And you need a prescription for it.

Everything else in the mental health market place needs to be seriously evaluated by consumers to see if what is offered is acceptable to you and supports your treatment goals..

This is an overview of some of the things you should know if you decide to use an app.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

Psychology Today post on AI Chatbots for Mental Health: Opportunities and Limitations

The Conversation page on Your AI therapist is not your therapist: The dangers of relying on AI mental health chatbots

NPR Report on Rejoyn

Disclaimer:

ARP 371 Quick Look at Zenora App

Apps, Awareness, Support

We have to be a lot more careful about the apps we put on our phones and tablets.

In the entrepreneurial app space, there are a lot of apps that claim to be mental health or wellness apps. Many now have AI slapped on their covers.

At this time, AI is a collection of words, stolen data and snatched public domain text to make it seem like it can answer a question.

It can't. The response you get is a gussied up form of pattern matching. There is no intelligence or thinking from the app. That doesn't mean that the contraption can or can't help you.

It does mean that you need to be aware of your needs. You should start to have a baseline of what a mental health the app can do for you.

There are going to be a lot more apps being released in 2025. We need to build an understanding of what is and is not acceptable in a so-called mental health or wellness app.

In case you are new here, I do not accept advertising, affiliate links or other forms of compensation. This is my subjective opinion of what I perceived from the experience.

In this episode a quick look at the Zenora app.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

Per the website, the Zenora app provides mental health wellness support via a a mood and emotion tracker, a journal function and cognitive behavioral health information.

The Knock Off Therapy Blog has a free PDF/paper based tracker and the information on how to use it to track your what is going on with you. Please be aware that you have to subscribe to AJ's newsletter to get the tracker. But you could also read the post to see if it is a good match for you.

The Rootd for Panic Attacks and Anxiety app has many of the same things that Zenora has but there is a specific focus on anxiety and panic attacks. There are short and long term lessons, breathing practices, nature sound and other items. This is a subscription service.

Unstuck CBT Therapy Journal has tracking features, a thought journal, examples of thinking traps and other doo-dads that you can use to track your feelings and thinking patterns.

Disclaimer:

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 367 Postpartum Support for Moms and Parents

Apps, Awareness, Resource, Support

Seems like everybody is catching a little hell. We need to do something about that. Chip at that rock. For folks that are going through Postpartum Depression, there are resources that can help you get through the challenges of having this disorder.

This is a short episode that list two or three resources, depending on how you count them on contacting assistance. If I find more, I'll add them to the resource lists or create another episode.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

Postpartum Support International has a helpline, a provider directory and community to assist folks with the condition.

PSI also has a page for Queer/Trans parents experiencing postpartum depression.

The site also has an app that provides access to information, the helplines and the a community that truly understands the problems of folks that experience PPD or miscarriage.

PSI App via the Apple Store

PSI App via the Google Play Store

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). This is a 24/7, free, confidential hotline is for pregnant women and new moms. Counselors speak both English and Spanish. TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-852-6262.

The U.S. Office of Women's Health has a PDF Guide to Identifying Support for Postpartum Depression.

Disclaimer:

ARP 366 - Postpartum Support for Dads

Apps, Awareness, Depression, Resource

With attacks on mom and non-mothers, it is easy to forget there are dads that might need assistance too. Giving birth can be a challenging experience.

There are anxiety conditions that can occur because of pregnancy. In this very short episode, I have a resource from Postpartum Support International (PSI) that might be helpful to the fellas that are finding themselves on the Anxiety Road.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

Postpartum Support International (PSI) has a page specifically for dads needing assistance with anxiety or depression generated by pregnancy or birth of a child.

There is also a telephone helpline in English and Spanish 800-944-4773, or you can text help to the same number. The helpline is available from 8am to 11pm Eastern time.

PSI also has an app that can help parents access help and support as well as a community that understands issues related to the condition. You can find it at the Apple or Google Play App Stores.

Disclaimer:

ARP 362 - Healthy Minds Program App

Apps, Meditation, Mindfulness

This is a quick look at the Healthy Minds Program App and what can do for you to help you chill out.

One way to think about mindfulness it is an intentional period of time that you practice of grounding yourself in the moment.

Meditation is a method that you use to help you get to a mindful space. Some of those tools include breathing, movement, or a specific mental practice to create healthy pathways and move out the muck.

What can it do for you:

Meditative practice
Audio education on training the brain and understanding the mind.
Tracking your wellness level.
Helps to reduce anxiety levels.

There is no charge to use the app but they would not mind if you made a donation to support the non-profit that created it.

This app is available on Android and iOS devices.

Just a reminder, I do not accept advertising or have affiliate links. I seek out the resources and products.

In eight years, I have never done an interview. I don't want to. I'd rather have a conversation. But not necessarily via the podcast.

This has not stopped PR people from sending me possible interview candidates. I have a special folder where they go into purgatory. I use to email them to tell them that. Doesn't seem to matter to them.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

Meditation and Mindfulness: What You Need To Know from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine.

The Healthy Minds Program App in the Apple App store.

The Healthy Minds Program App on the Google Play store.

Disclaimer:

ARP 354 Basic Info on A.I. and Mental Health Apps

Apps, Technology

There is a lot of turbulence in the mental health space. All kinds of mischief is going on and a portion of Americans who are trying to go back to 1862.

It is crazy but I don't think that is a strong enough word for it. In this episode, I have a very simplistic definition of what is an AI Language Model and what is a scripted AI chatbot and a wee bit on what is or could be a generative A.I. chatbot or treatment option.

We need to understand what is happening in the entrepreneurial mental health market place.

There is a collision of problems;

Not enough mental health providers.
Financial access to mental health care.
Geographical and transportation access to mental health care.
and a whole bunch more....

There are serious, thoughtful ethically motivated research into using new technologies to provide access to anxiety and other types of mental health treatment.

And then there is the bum rush of companies and private investors wanting to slap something up against a wall and hopes it sticks around long enough to make a profit.

Ooh, almost forgot - opportunistic low life vermin as well.

Case in point.

I recently got an email that told me that mental health is the next hot niche. And that for x amount of money, I could have oodles of videos explaining about, mental health and wellness topics.

My best and unsupported guess is that somebody somewhere has created a bunch of A.I. videos with A.I. voices that scraped content from multiple places and then have an AI video generator to create into various social media video formats.

This type of income enhancement is nothing new. And the offer of private label content is a old as the printing press. Rich guy want to show he is impressive. Hires ghost writer to enhance his reputation.

We are being flooded with crappy content for profit.

My fellow travelers on the road, it is rough but our power and defense is being informed.

Let's get to it.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

Rose Cartwright's question everything she had been told about mental illness. This article appears in The Guardian.

Common Craft video on Large Language Models on YouTube - This video does not have narration. It is a readable video.

IBM definition of What is a Chatbot?

MedPage Today article on The Dark Side of AI in Mental Health High demand for AI training data may increase unethical practices in collecting patient data, by Michael DePeau-Wilson.

Disclaimer:

ARP 352 - Breathing Necklaces or Buyer Beware

Apps, Breathing

In this episode a look at breathing necklaces, which are supposed to help you control your breathing. These things irk me. It isn't that they don't have a purpose. But you don't need them.

It is ok to want one or have it around your neck as a touchpoint or you really do understand how to use them. That is what I wanted to communicate in the recording.

I had to cut a lot of stuff out of the episode. I was going on and on about anxiety gizmo advertorials in traditional and on-line magazines.

Somebody told them about affiliate links and the blurring of editorial and advertising content.
Some of them did not get the memo on the correct way to do this.

A lot of blurring and smudging going on.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

National Health Service has a page on breathing exercises for stress.

From Harvard Health Publishing, Relaxation techniques: Breath control helps quell errant stress response.

From Mindful Magazine and their website, an audio recording of a 12-minute 4--7-8 breathing practice.

Every Mind Matters - NHS 2 minute-ish Breathing Practice

Disclaimer:

ARP 338 Anxiety in Your Guts and Symptom Tracking Apps

Anxiety, Apps, Symptoms

There is a term called visceral anxiety. According to various sources, it isn't a medical term but more of a description of feeling anxiety in the lower center of your body. We are talking about the gastrointestinal track.

For some with anxiety it is a persistent problem of pain in the stomach, being gassy or bloated. Or feeling queasy each and every day. (Pregnant people excepted).

Now life happens, you get sick and have those symptoms. Or something you've eaten truly does not agree with your body.

That isn't necessarily anxiety related.

However, if you have constant problems in your gut area AND you have been reviewed by a medical doctor to rule out other health problems then it could be anxiety.

It could be anxiety. And no amount of Maalox or Pepto Bismol is going to fix it.

In this episode, a brief look at gut symptoms and symptom tracking to monitor what is ginning you up.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

ADAA.org page on How to Calm an Anxious Stomach: The Brain-Gut Connection

MySymptoms app that can track a wide variety of symptoms. This app was originally created for people that have Irritable Bowl Syndrome but has features that can apply to some anxiety conditions.

Bearable app to help you track your symptoms.

Disclaimer:

ARP 330 - A Quick Look at the Pulsetto VNS Device

Apps, Sleep, Technology

I try to stay off of sites like Kickstarter and Indigogo. Too much temptation and even more disappointment. Back in the day, I use to support the up and coming companies.

But I got tired of waiting sometimes month before the product arrived. I have been burned by companies that found out it was hard to be an innovator.

Few days ago, I got an email that I was about to toss in the trash. Looked like spam. Anyway, I found out that it is an actual company that claims to treat anxiety, sleep problems and helping to focus attention.

Supposedly, this is a device that you place on your neck, apply a gel to help you make contact with the Vagus nerve for a tingling session of calm and relaxation.

It has possibilities for some of us that want more non-drug based symptom options.

But there are hitches in the giddy-up.

In this episode, a quick look at the Pulsetto VNS device.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

There is a post on SciTechDaily about reducing the amount of social media consumption called Can 30 Minutes a Day Save Your Mental Health?

Excellent Crash Course explainer video on what the Autonomous, Parasympathetic and Sympathetic system is, what it does and how it relates to stress and anxiety.

Chris Haslam at Wired.com review of the Pulsetto device, really good article.

HealthInsider post on Pulsetto Review: Can It Improve the Quality of Your Life?

The official Pulsetto website can provide more information if you are interested in this device.

Trust Pilot Reviews of the device.

Disclaimer:

ARP 328 Breathing and Humming Resources for Anxiety

Apps, Breathing, Meditation, Stress

I'm on the summer slow down vibe, but there are lots of interesting ways to handle and reduce symptoms.

One of those ways is combining a breathing practice with humming. To be clear, I'm talking about the sound that humans make with their mouths. Usually involves the sound "hum".

Take the human body, the Vagus nerve and an open mind and you just might have an additional tool to tell the body to relax, there isn't a danger or problem.

Might work for you.

Might not.

I do know that it is a free, no risk, non-toxic option to try.

This is a quick introduction to the topic and a few resources to get you started.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

There is a post on Verywell Health on Breathing Exercises for Anxiety.

If you need visual help in practice breathing there is the Breathe Easy app for iOS and Android.

Mayo Clinic Connect post on Humming Your Way to Relaxation.

Katie Morton explanation video on 5 Easy Ways to Stimulate the Vagus Nerve.

Video on Humming for Vagus Nerve Stimulation from Buteyko Clinic

Disclaimer:

Show 318 A Look at AmWell for Anxiety Treatment

Apps, Telemedicine, Treatment

As one section of America tries to move forward there are others that are determine to hold on to what didn't work in the past and certainly won't work in the future.

In this day, do the best you can. That is the lesson to be learned across all of time and space.

I had to record this episode seven or eight times.

I kept messing up. Mispronounced words. Forgot to explain something. Then there were the birds and the trash truck.

Together. In harmony.

You can aim for perfection, but in the meantime you do what you can.

You might muck it up but do what you can.

In this episode, a window shopping look at AmWell for anxiety treatment and mental health services.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

Discovery Magazine article about possible blood testing for anxiety.

Engadget post on Cerebral sharing data with Meta and other companies.

AmWell Mental Health Pages:

Information page about anxiety.
Information page about online therapy
Information page about prescriptions

Medline Plus page on Telehealth provides information about what telehealth is and some of the pros and cons of it.

The National Institute of Mental Health has a two page brochure with basic description of what is tele-mental care and some of the pros and cons.

Anne Koller Water Meditation videos.

Disclaimer:

Show 309 Apps for Mindfulness & Meditation

Apps, Meditation, Mindfulness

There are lots of apps for mindfulness and meditation. The advantage is just in time training, help and support and symptom relief.

The disadvantage could be the continued separation from actual people, data harvesting by low lifers and the app not exactly meeting your needs.

I would say that it is important you develop your skills as an informed health consumer.

2024 Update. One Mind PsyberGuide is closed. The non-profit could not obtain funding to continue. You can still access the archives at this time. One way to do that is to visit the website One Mind Psyber Guide.

In this episode, some of the apps that are available for mindfulness and meditation.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consumer page about protecting your privacy and being aware of permissions you give an app.

Free Meditation Apps

From the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center there is the UCLA Mindful App for iOS and Android has features such as getting started in meditation, videos and access to the podcast where there are a number topics about mindfulness.

Healthy Minds Program, this is an app that has both active and sitting practices. This app helps you to build you process by introducing the concepts of awareness, staying focused and tracking the actual time spent in mindfulness and meditation.

Meditation with In-App Purchases

The Mindfulness App by the company Mind App has a tutorial on how to meditate, 400 mindfulness recordings, customization option like choosing the length of a meditation, guided or silent and other options. This app is accessible in multiple languages. Seven-day free trial. Subscription is either $4.99 a month or $59.99 a year.

Simple Habit has meditation on the go, guided mindfulness and meditation practices and experts on the topic. You can access some of the content for free or there is a subscription for $12 monthly, $90 annually, or $300 for lifetime use. iOS and Android.

Subscription Based Mindfulness and Meditation Apps

In the last episode, I mentioned Runkeeper for those that want to do running meditations. It is a subscription service for $39.99 a year. https://runkeeper.com/cms/

Buddhify designed for just in time meditation or up to 30 minutes. for meditation on the go $4.99 a month or $30 a year on iOS and $3.99 and $30 a year in the Google Play store.

And the app created by Dan Harris and his team. 10 Percent Happier. You get audio, video, tutorial guidance and if you want it, community. 7 days free trial, $100 a year. It is available for Android and iOS phones.

Disclaimer:

Show 288 Two Books with Different Paths to Healing

Apps, Awareness, Book, CBT

There isn't one path to healing. There can be dozens but when you are in the thick of it you only care about what works now.

So you might decide, you have stuff to do, you don't have time for introspections, give me the pill.

And it might work for you. Until it doesn't. Or your symptoms change. Or your anxiety expresses itself as anger. Or overeating. Or hording.

It can happen that you do meditation. You monitor your nutrition. You run a mile a day.

And your symptoms still make you feel like a scared, helpless person. Treatment isn't always linear.

You might have to mix it up.

In this episode a look at two books that are very different from each other. Both offer a path to healing and treatment. It might work for you, it might not.

But these are accessible options to consider.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

Brown University Robert J. & Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science, a news article about Mechanical Affective Touch Therapy (MATT)

For those of you that want to check out the trial evaluation there is an open article Mechanical Affective Touch Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: Effects on Resting State Functional Connectivity on Science Direct that gives the details of the trial testing and results.

Dushka Zapata For All I Know; A Shebang Checklist for Life. You can find most of her writing for free on Quora but she does have books for sale at Amazon.

The ABCS of Coping Using CBT to Manage Stress and Anxiety by James Cowart Ph.D. published by Crown House Publishing. You can visit the publishers web site or order the book via your favorite book vendor.

Author Matt Haig 2014 post on Reasons to Stay Alive.

Disclaimer:

Show 286 Using Time to Mange Anxiety Symptoms

Apps, Book, Breathing, Hoarding, Resource

Anxiety symptoms are pesky. We spend a lot of time trying to deal with them.

In addition to our daily task duties and responsibilities.

In this episode, I want to share a few tips that can restore a sense of stability and calm.

I don't want to turn anyone into a time robot.

There are some evil time technological oppressors that are rising in the workforce or the corporate marketplace.

Those buggers are trying to find ways to micro manage folks working from home. This episode is about using time to help you get things done.

What I am talking about is finding the shift necessary to make you existence calmer or more relaxed.

These are concepts, not instructions.

It is how to eat the elephant of work you have to do in smaller pieces of time. Work on a task for five minutes a day, five days a week is 25 minutes a week. This could be much better than trying to crunch it the last day that it is due.

It is about reframing time to match your needs.

Resources Mentioned:

Bearable, an app that helps you to track not only your symptoms, but food, activity, and sleep patterns. You get a visible display on how you are doing. Runs on Android and iOs

Unf*ck Your Habitat: You’re Better than Your Mess by Rachel Hoffman. Sure, buy the book but you can get a lot of good info at her website.

Jim Donovan's Rhythmic Stress Relief: Stopwatch Tap Technique Bone easy to do and will help you to bring your anxiety down a notch or two.

From Very Well Mind, Find More Time in a Busy Schedule for Less Stress. The word "no" is very important.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer:

Show 263 - What Is Critical Thinking?

Apps, Awareness, Book, Education, Resource

I don't know if you have experienced this but either people are telling you that you are overthinking, underthinking or not thinking in the right way. There are reams of books about how to think the "right" way.

Especially if you have an anxiety condition. And I know the depression folks catch double hell on it too.

And let's not forget that freak flag that get's waived when someone expresses and opinion as fact and then when you try to educate or provide sources they accuse you of not having critical thinking skills.

Or they really might not have a process to think critically. And they get pissed off that you do.

Critical Thinking has been used as a weapon or a savior when it comes to anxiety treatment treatment.

Most of the time by people who don't know jack about either one. In my opinion.

The basic process isn't hard to understand.

The implementation depends on the person, your circumstances, education, and life experience.

Critical thinking is a way to evaluate information and make an informed decision or find a solution.

Resources Mentioned:

Who You Were Before Trauma: by Luise Reddemann. English language version published by The Experiment, a division of Workman Publishing. To those of you that are hip, the ISBN is 9781615196166

Critical Thinking definition at Plato Standford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

On the Dummies.com website you can find the book, Critical Thinking for Dummies.

If you don’t want to buy the book there is a cheat sheet article that will give you the headline version.

For those of you on the academic tip that cringed in my simplification, there is Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy description for a more academic version of the process.

The Center for Critical Thinking is a non-profit organization that wants to add a fairness, empathetic aspect to the process. The center has where to begin page that is a good entry point.

Brianna Weist has a post on Medium called Logic Lapses Are Giving You Chronic Anxiety

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer:

ARP 251 Redefining Crazy

Apps, Health Literacy, Music, Phobias, Symptoms, Therapy

Still in vacation mode but there is plenty to talk about. Part of today's episode deals with digital and health literacy. Well, truthfully I try to sneak it in whenever I can.

Digital Literacy is "is the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills."

Health Literacy is "the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions."

Part of today's episode deals with both digital and health literacy. There are dozens of apps for anxiety and depression users. There are some crappy ones, that steal content from other creators and providers.

The meditation apps that charge you a subscription to access content from another website. That is free to download and listen too. Those burn me up.

Or apps that connect to another content creator's website. It does provide information. It also is harvesting information from your phone and contacts.

Or the ones that honestly provide content - bare minimum but they did create it. And you do get to access it for free. But you are bombarded with ads that may or may not be appropriate for you to view.

I personally can go a lifetime without seeing or hearing about men's lower level grooming products.

So in the episode, I go a little long winded about what is and isn't a medical app. Because when I hear about an Erectile Dysfunction provider trying to provide medication for anxiety it gets me a little more anxious.

Fellas, I understand that the malfunctioning plumbing issues can cause anxiety. 100% . Not even up for debate.

But an on-line service for a physical condition, that also handles hair loss and now wants to provide psychiatric care and pill dispensing is a problem.

And a red flag.

And from a health literacy stand point, multiple questions should be asked:

Why is an ED vendor also treating hair loss?
Does hair loss lead to ED?
Don't dermatologists handle hair loss? (Why yes, they do and the AAD can help you find accurate info.)
Where is that medication coming from?
Is is legal where I live to buy or obtain medication on-line (in the U.S., Nope.)

Don't be uninformed or flat out stupid. Do your research and homework.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

In the News:

Washington Post article about Olympians and Mental Health Concerns

There is a video documentary on Vimeo about ED called Let's Talk About It. Seventeen minutes could help you can save yourself some aggravation and keep some of your hard earned money.

App that Attack:

In a Murky Sea of Mental Health Apps, Consumers Left Adrift from the California Health Foundation

2024 Update. One Mind PsyberGuide is closed. The non-profit could not obtain funding to continue. You can still access the archives at this time. One Mind PsyberGuide - Resource to help you determine if a mental health app is worth your time and money.

Resources Mentioned:

U.S Food and Drug Administration examples of what is not a medical app.

Music

Pasty Cline with The Jordanaires version of Crazy.

Gnarls Barkley from the album St. Elsewhere version of Crazy.

Postmodern Jukebox version of Crazy.

Anxiety Resources

For teenager and young adults there is DoSomething.org 11 Facts About Anxiety.

From Anxiety Centre there is Fear of Going Crazy

Anxiety Network's page on What You Fear Most Cannot Happen

VeryWell Mind page on Dementophobia or the fear of going mad or crazy.

Disclaimer:

Show 249 Self-Calming or Self-Medication

Apps, Book, Complementary, Therapy

In this episode, a quick look at what is self-calming and self-medication.

Words are tricky. In this context, I’m speaking about a psychological concept of self-medication to seek relief from emotional or mental health symptoms.

There is another meaning of the term about the necessity of self-treatment when you do not have access or can't afford healthcare services. That isn’t the topic of this episode.

I've touched on that aspect in other episodes but that requires a deep dive for another time.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

In the News

Very Well Health has an updated post on how How Phobia Is Treated.

Literary Hub except called. The Toll of Perfectionism: On the Physical and Mental Health of Ballet Dancers

It comes from the book, Turning Pointe: How a New Generation of Dancers Is Saving Ballet from Itself. The publisher is Bold Type Books

The Me You Can't See Documentary on Apple TV or possibly as an addition subscription on you media services. If you have a recent device purchase form Apple you can get a free year long subscription (In the U.S.). There is also a free seven day trial period, not saying you should do that, but it is an option.

App that Attack

Mental Health America has a screening test for a variety of mental health issues.

Resources Mentioned:

A Therapist's Journey, Learning the Art of Self-Soothing. A post on NAMI.org.

Over at Psychology Today there is an article on Turning a Vice Into a Virtue Through Healthy Self-Soothing.

And at Loner Wolf a few words on 7 Self-Soothing Techniques to Relieve Anxiety and PTSD

The Self-Medication Theory of Addiction from Very Well Mind.

Disclaimer:

Show 243 Climb the Mountain

Apps, Breathing, Support

I truly don't know what to say. There needs to be some healing infusions and I don't have any.

But I can say many of us are trying not to be overwhelmed or discouraged by hate based carbon units.

It is hard.

But we can do it.

Our ancestors taught us that and we have to hold on waiting for our time to make changes.

Not to wait on them. Make them.

In this episode, a few words about why the podcast exist and in App that Attack, a few words on Apollo Neuro.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

Apollo Neuro wearable device for stress and mood adjustment.

Jon Kabat-Zin meditation app for iPhone and iPad.

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Case in point.

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Free Meditation Apps

Meditation with In-App Purchases

Subscription Based Mindfulness and Meditation Apps

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If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

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In the News

App that Attack

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