Show 222 Is it a Medical App?

I get a little long winded but in this episode, I needed to explain what are medical apps and what isn't. That breathing app on your phone probably isn't a medical app.

That is the topic of this weeks episode. Regulated and unregulated medical apps

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: 

U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Device Software Functions Including Mobile Medical Applications

U.S. FDA page Examples of Mobile Apps That Are NOT Medical Devices

Headspace and Talkspace, Both companies provide connections to virtual therapists via audio, text or vendor. 

Rootd – Panic Attack Relief This is an app that helps those of you with panic attacks to handle your symptoms. It provides an education module, symptom relief, a journaling module and other resources.

MoodKit This app uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as the foundation of some of the activities in the app.  It is a hybrid between providing patient information and a journal. 

PocketCoach  This app is similar to the other it uses CBT and Mindfulness-Based Stress-Reduction to provide information to users about their condition and how to handle their symptoms. 

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. PsyberGuide is a resource to help you find and evaluate mental health apps. The project looks at on-line, Android and iOS apps. Some of the mental health apps have an evaluation of their performance. 

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.

Show 220 Five More Coping Skills and Why They Work

You can be sitting in a doctor’s office. 

The doctor tells you that there is nothing physically wrong. Based on your symptoms, you fit the profile of a person having an anxiety condition. 

The doctor may or may not prescribe medication.

The doctor may or may not give you are referral to a behavioral health professional like a therapist, psychologists or psychiatrist.

Maybe, if you have a really good doctor, they provide you with a brochure or handout that gives you more than a sentence about your specific type of anxiety and treatment options.

That is kinda rare but it does happen.

You walk out of the office. 

What do you do? 

That is part of the motivation why I created this podcast. To give folks multiple options for understanding what is going on in their bodies and more than two treatment options. 

Yes, there really are more than two. My belief is that it is a whole body approach to treatment. 

Start from a place of respect for your body. Even if you are currently angry with it at the moment.

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: 

From the Experts: How to Cope with Anxiety and Loneliness in the Age of Coronavirus by the TimesUp Foundation. How to create a place of being ok during these times.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America has articles, information sheets, and a YouTube channel that might be of interest to you.

HelpGuide.org focuses more on non-medication related treatment and resources.

National Alliance of Mental Health aka NAMI information on Anxiety Disorders.

National Institute of Mental Health page on Anxiety Disorders.

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.

The #With Me Video Playlist

I ignored this at first. I scrolled past it a number of times. I wasn't in the mood for platitudes about getting help. But then I came back to it and tried a video from The Psych Show.

Psychologist Ali Mattu, shows tangible, real things a person could do to chill out. Stuff that works for him, and maybe for you. 

He ware personable, real and reminded me about the human connections we all need. Especially if you are going through a rough patch.

 

 

Anyway, I just want to make sure that if you happen to be on YouTube because you are feeling well then may take a look at some of the videos on the #With Me Playlist. 

Some of these folks are behavioral health professionals. Some are people who have lived with a condition for so long, the know the basics a newbie would want to know. 

Doesn't cost you anything to check it out.

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: 

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.

Show 219 Anxiety Journals and Workbooks

There are different types of anxiety journals and workbooks for different needs. There are books that you can use by yourself, and others that are best used working with a behavioral health professional.

And you’d think I wouldn’t have to define what a journal or workbook is but in this case, I do. Because there are the bound type of books that you can find anyplace from the 99 Cents Only store to the most expensive stationary outlet. Bound blank pages with maybe the date and a section for doodling. 

Love those things,  but not the topic of the podcast. This is a look at items that are specifically targeted to people that have stress or anxiety issues. 

But even that doesn't quite get to it. There is a wide range of publications and apps.

Because there is a difference between anxiety journals and workbooks. You want to find a good match for what you need.

There are journal books that might have a one sentence prompt and you are given a few lines to respond to that sentence.  You might need more.

There are thick workbooks that give solid information about anxiety conditions, what to do if X happens and push a specific treatment choice. You might need less. 

You might need your content in plain English or you want the full firehouse of information.

In this episode, a look at anxiety journals and workbooks. Some of the authors do have audiobook versions.

Oh, one more thing. There are a number of books with the same name or similar names. When possible, I've included the author's name, website or publisher to help you get to the item mentioned in the podcast.  

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: 

Apps Mention:

Android: Mind Journal: anxiety relief & mental health diary from Ory. Helps you track your mood, symptoms and provides meditations and affirmations. The app is free to download and there are in app purchases

Apple: Anxiety Journal App allows you to record your mood, provide reminders of symptom management techniques, and suggestions on how to calm yourself. 

Paper - eBook - Audiobook

Moorea Seal is an artist, entrepreneur and author of 52 Lists for Calm.

The Anxiety Journal: Exercises to Soothe Stress and Eliminate Anxiety Wherever You Are: A Guided Journal by Corinne Sweet. 

The Anti-Anxiety Notebook

Calm the F*ck Down, Managing Anxiety and Problem Solving in the Face of Adversity by Sarah Knight.  

The Anxiety Skills Workbook Simple CBT and Mindfulness Strategies for Overcoming Anxiety, Fear, and Worry by Stefan G. Hofmann, New Harbinger Publications. Available as a print for e-book.

The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, 7th Edition by Edmond J. Bourne.

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.

Show 218 - Focus on Your Treatment

We can get caught in a vortex of life responsibilities and obligations. However, there are times when we must pare it down to what is essential.

So let’s get specific. Your physical and mental health are essential. This is not debatable.

Your treatment is important. You do have the option to stop or start your treatment at any time but there is a cost to that decision. 

That cost isn’t always financial. Relationships. Being able to socialize in person. Being able to make non-fear-based decisions. You can't do that hanging on to everything buzzing about.

Make time for the work. 

The healing work. 

Rest. 

Meditation. 

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: 

LifeTick is a web application to help you achieve your goals. It requires you to be clear about what you want and when to expect a date of completion. There is a free and paid version of the service.

If you want to check it out to see if it is a good fit there is a LifeTick YouTube channel.

Anxiety Rescue eCourse by the Anxiety Sisters is a five-week self directed eCourse on anxiety information and treatment options..

Nicky Cullen's blog post on When is it time to quit?  Dude has a love of F-Bombs so if that bothers you trapes elsewhere. 

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.

Show 217 You Are Going to Make Mistakes.

A mistake is an act or judgement that is misguided or wrong. It isn't always a bad thing. 

You do the best you can with the information available. Sometimes you find out that what you thought would work, has problems.

Or you are not in the right space to accept what you are being told. 

Or there is so much noise in your head that you grab on to the first thing you see. Sometimes that works. 

Sometimes it doesn't.  This is a pebble in the road to remind you to keep trying. Find a way.

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 (Not) Mentioned: 

Mindful Magazine has an post about How to Meditate with Anxiety.

From Overcoming Social Anxiety website, What on Earth is the Amygdala and How Is It Related to Social Anxiety?

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.

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.

Show 216 Three Nutrition Audiobooks for Mental Health

This week, a look at three audiobooks that talk about using food or nutrition as a way to deal with an mental health or anxiety condition. 

There are a lot of resources when it comes to finding materials about treating the various forms of anxiety. Finding authoritative and viable resources is a lot more difficult. 

Then there are books with ok content but with poor or non-engaged readers. I can't recommend those books.

So, the books that appear in this episode had to pass through the following process:

• There is both a physical book and audiobook available.
• The author has the required training or qualification in order to write the book. 
• And just like if I was standing in a library or bookstore, there is an opportunity to read or get a sense of the content or philosophy regarding the materials.

In housekeeping news, last time I mentioned that the podcast has been picked up by Amazon Music & Podcast. I went to check it out, there are problems. There is no show description. 

There are only about 10 episodes listed. I have over 200 and they are in an unfathomable random order. At the time of this recording other podcasting folks are having issues as well.  It is a new service and I hope that get it fixed quickly.

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:

Mindful.org has a 10 minute meditation for a full body scan. It can help you reconnect your mind and body. https://www.mindful.org/a-10-minute-body-scan-practice/

For more information about Dr. Uma Naidoo This is Your Brain on Food or to find a vendor for her book and audiobook you can visit her website. There is also an interview of Dr. Naidoo on the Amen Clinic YouTube channel 

Dr. Emeran Mayer book on The Mind Gut Connection can be found at his website, which also has videos about his approach about the brain and gut connections. There are versions via ebook, print and audiobook.

Dr. William W. Li's book called Eat to Beat Disease also talks about the mind/body connection but also gives you actionable steps that you can do to transition into more healthy eating. There is a recipe section with accessible ideas about healthy recipes.  On his website there are recipes you can use to eat in support of your body.  

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.