Anxiety management apps

Anxiety management apps

  • Anxiety is a normal human emotion. However, if you feel worried or anxious so often that it interferes with your day-to-day life, learning some new skills can make a big difference.
  • There are a variety of apps to help you manage anxiety. They can help you learn about your condition and track your symptoms, as well as provide tools to help you feel better.
  • Find out more about apps for anxiety.
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If anxiety interferes with your day-to-day life, it could be an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders include social anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder and others. Read more about anxiety

There are a range of treatments available, including self-management tools and talking therapy. Depending on their features, apps use different techniques to help you manage your anxiety.

  • Some apps provide education about anxiety, tips on how to recognise triggers, identify patterns and document your emotional experiences and track your progress over time.
  • Some apps incorporate breathing exercises, mindfulness and meditation activities to help you practice relaxation skills.
  • Some apps use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which can help you change your negative thought patterns and improve the way you feel.

Before choosing an app, think about how it will benefit you and what you want it to be able to do.

  • An app will only be helpful if you use it, so it needs to be something you like using and find easy to use.
  • If you find the app difficult to use, or you don't like the imagery or look of it, or the language it uses, you may want to find another one that suits you better.
  • For more guidance on how to choose health apps, see How to choose a health app.

 

Apps that teach CBT techniques

Beating the Blues

 

Clinical review
4 star review

Generalised anxiety (Just a Thought) course

 

Clinical review
4 star review

Health anxiety course (Just a Thought)

 

Clinical review
4 star review

Kalda LGBTQIA+ Mental Health app

Clinical review
3.5 star review

Mindshift

 

Clinical review
5 star review

 

See more CBT apps

Apps that use guided relaxation, breathing exercises, mindfulness and meditation activities

Breathe2Relax

 

Clinical review
5 star review

Headspace

 

Clinical review
5 star review

Self-help Anxiety Management (SAM)

 

Clinical review
2 star review

Virtual Hope Box

 

Clinical review
5 star review

Togetherall

 

Clinical review
5 star review


Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) app

 

Clinical review
4 star review

Mana Restore

 

Clinical review
4 star review

   

See more breathing apps, meditation and mindfulness apps

As there are so many apps to support mental health and wellbeing, we have not been able to review all those available. We have instead identified independent organisations that have reviewed these apps:

You may also find the following article useful: Do mental health apps really work?(external link) Patient Info, UK

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

If you need help, or want to talk to somebody about your mental health, you can get support from any of the following:

  • Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
  • Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP).
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).
  • Healthline 0800 611 116.
  • Samaritans 0800 726 666.

Factsheets – using health apps safely

How to choose a health app
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.