PTSD? Smartphone Apps Can Help
Soldiers suffering the invisible wounds of war have a new weapon against post-traumatic stress disorder: smartphone applications. The Pentagon and Veterans Affairs Department have developed applications with names such as “Breathe2Relax,” “MoodTracker” and others to help soldiers manage their symptoms. The newest application, PTSD Coach, offers step-by-step directions to assist in muscle relaxation and breathing, self-assess and track their symptoms and mood changes, and offers a list of emotional support hotlines.
A few major symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include:
- Flashbacks to traumatic events, which may last for minutes or days
- Disturbing dreams
- Depression and emotional numbness
- Irritability, shame, anger or guilt
- Being easily frightened or shaken
- Seeing or hearing things that aren’t real
The Pentagon stresses that these applications are not intended to diagnose illness or replace counseling. Rather, they are tools designed to help soldiers manage their day-to-day symptoms.