Mobile Apps for Vets: PTSD Coach and More

Hey!  I’m talkin’ to you. Stop twiddling your thumbs texting on that smartphone for a minute. A while ago I told you about the mobile app PTSD Coach, out from our friends at the VA.  Don’t remember that?  Here’s a refresher---Hey!  I’m talkin’ to you. Stop twiddling your thumbs texting on that smartphone for a minute. A while ago I told you about the mobile app PTSD Coach, out from our friends at the VA.  Don’t remember that?  Here’s a refresher---

First, it’s FREE.  And now you can download it from iTunes or from Android Market onto your smartphone, if you have one and I’m not sayin’ you should get one or that you need one. I don’t have one either.  Try to act surprised. 

What’s PTSD Coach do?

Developed for Veterans and family members, PTSD Coach is an app where everybody can learn about PTSD, get info on professional care and find out where to get support.  Plus, for the Vet, there’s a self-assessment tool along with tools to help manage the stress of daily life. Like what? Well, like relaxation tools that you can customize by adding your own music and photos so it’s all yours.  Or positive self-talk to help you manage anger.

This app was created by VA’s National Center for PTSD and DoD’s National Center for Telehealth & Technology. Those boys have been busy.  Now they got five apps on their website.

Breath2Relax is a hands-on breathing exercise that teaches you how to breathe from your belly like a baby, or like your black Lab.  You ever watch him breathe?  How his sides go in and out?  He’s an expert.  Likewise babies. Check out these screenshots. You can use this app on your own or with your healthcare professional. No smartphone?  No matter.  You can find breathing techniques online or in the library or likely someone in your community is teaching them.

T2 Mood Tracker lets you track your emotional experiences over a period of days, weeks and months. You’ll be able to “watch” the effect of post-traumatic stress, brain injury and plain old life stress.  Oh, and depression and anxiety too.  The whole caboodle. I’d guess one of the advantages of this one is that you can see what’s happening over time which means you’ll be able to see your own progress.  Almost forgot the best part.  They got QR codes on this page.  What??!   You think I didn’t know about those boxes smartphones read?  Please.  I might be an old dog, but I’m a smart old dog.

I say a round of applause for the VA and the DOD National Center for Telehealth and Technology.  Now that you know where they are, pay ‘em a visit now and then.   See what they got new.

Say, go ahead 'n tap that screen now.  How fast can that thing order a pizza?

Dave Culmer, Semper Fi