Mental health looks different for everyone. There are many different physical and social factors that impact our well-being, and result in the formation of different mental health disorders and conditions. If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s important to know what resources and tools are available.
Smartphones have created many opportunities in the form of access for those who live with a mental health disorder to take recovery into their own hands. In recent years, many apps have been created with mental health themes, and there are some that help manage specific conditions. This article will cover a few of the most popular and effective ones.
What is covered in this article
Read on to learn more about some of the best mental health disorder management apps available.
Best eating disorder apps to help take charge of your food
If you’re someone who is recovering from an eating disorder, there’s a few apps that can help you manage your meals and track your progress.
1. Rise Up + Recover
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Rise Up + Recover is an eating disorder app that allows those struggling an easy way to track their recovery. The app allows users to simply track their daily meals and the feelings and behaviors they exhibited that day. Entries are also easily shareable with your treatment team.
2. Lifesum
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free, premium subscriptions available from $3.75/month
Lifesum is one of the best apps for eating disorder recovery that can be used by those who want to positively improve their eating habits. It uses trackers to help you manage the number of calories you’re eating as well as your goals. The app also features recipes and educational tools to help you make the most of your meals.
3. Recovery Record
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Recovery Record is an app designed to help those with eating disorders or general eating concerns manage their recovery. The app is intended to be used by those struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating, and those concerned about their weight. It allows users to track their daily meals, thoughts, and feelings, while also staying connected to their treatment team.
Best OCD apps: tracking & treatment
If you’re someone who struggles with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), here are a couple apps to help you track the condition and find treatment.
1. GG OCD
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free, additional levels available for $4.99/month or $19.99 lifetime purchase
GG OCD is a great app for people with OCD who are struggling and want help improving their life. The app allows users to track their mood and make use of educational tools to learn how to better combat their negative thoughts. It also aims to boost your self-esteem daily with positive affirmations.
2. NOCD
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free to access resources, rates set by therapists per session
Restrictions: Currently available in the US only
NOCD is one of the best OCD apps that connects users to the support they need to help them cope with their symptoms. The app pairs users with an OCD therapist who can help them create a treatment plan and work towards recovery over video and messaging. It also gives them access to a supportive and interactive community of people with similar experiences.
Best apps to help with PTSD symptoms & management
If you’re someone who struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), these are two apps that can help you manage your symptoms.
1. PTSD Coach
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
PTSD Coach is an app designed for those struggling with PTSD who would benefit from additional help outside of treatment. The app is full of educational tools to teach users all about PTSD and how to best manage their daily lives with the condition. It includes tools to help with relaxation skills, positive self-talk, anger management, and more.
2. PTSD Coach Canada
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
PTSD Coach Canada is an app for Canadians with PTSD, designed to help users manage the condition. The app contains educational tools to help you learn how to better manage your PTSD symptoms. It is meant to be used as a companion to professional treatment.
Other apps to help with specific disorders and conditions
More and more apps are being developed every day for the wide range of mental health conditions that exist. If you struggle with borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, self-harm, insomnia, dementia, or ADHD, we’ve got suggestions for you, too.
1. DBT Diary Card & Skills Coach
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: $6.99
DBT Diary Card & Skills Coach is an app developed specifically for those with borderline personality disorder in order to help them manage their treatment. The app includes many features to help users document their day, monitor their progress, and learn new skills. It also contains useful references and a password feature to prevent others from reading your diary entries.
2. UCSF Prime
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Restrictions: Available to clinical trial patients only.
UCSF Prime is designed for those struggling with schizophrenia to learn how to manage their health and live a better life. The app allows users to network with a community of people with similar experiences, gain access to coaches, and set goals towards improving their well-being. Anyone interested in joining their clinical trial can email drivelab@ucsf.edu for more info.
3. Calm Harm
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
Calm Harm is an app that helps users to manage their urges to self-harm. The app is full of various exercises to help users cope when the desire to inflict self-harm is strongest. It also helps monitor when urges are most present so that users can identify trends and work towards recovery.
4. CBT-i Coach
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: Free
CBT-i Coach is an app designed for those who struggle with insomnia. The app aims to help users improve their sleeping habits by giving them the education and tools needed to introduce new routines. It works great as an addition to the therapy users might already be receiving.
5. MindMate
Download It Now: iOS
Cost: Free
MindMate is an app designed for those who might be struggling with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other memory loss conditions. The app is full of fun games, workouts, and recipes to help challenge your brain and help you stay healthy. It also includes a journal for storing your favorite memories and a variety of videos and music for you to enjoy.
6. Focus@Will
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Cost: $35/year, $60/biennial, or $150 lifetime purchase
Focus@Will is an app created for those struggling with ADHD to filter out their distractions using music. The app uses scientifically manufactured music to help users enter a state of flow and accomplish more work in less time. It also uses technology to determine what sounds are right for you and track your productivity.
Those are some of the best apps for various mental health disorders. We hope that you’re able to find one or more that are helpful to you. For other apps to improve your health and wellness, check out our article on the best meditation apps.
And remember: if you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department.
