121 Enhancing Emotional Wellness With Smartphone Apps in Early Psychosis

Abstract

Introduction

There is wide consensus that the combination of psychopharmacology and psychotherapy is superior to either approach used alone, in managing depressive, anxiety and psychotic disorders. Completing homework assignments are prerequisite for successful outcomes in psychotherapy. The convergence of digital computer technology and consumer self-empowerment have generated a bewildering array of mental health applications for smartphones and other mobile devices. The purpose of the present poster is to review available apps of interest for patients with early psychosis.

Method

A search was recently conducted of the stores on the iOS and Android platforms, seeking apps for mood, anxiety, psychotic and cognitive disorders. Reviews of digital technology resources provided by the International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO) at www.psyberguide.org were consulted. Criteria for inclusion included: (1) popularity measured by greater than 10,000 downloads (2) a score of 3.5 or higher on the Mobile Apps Rating System (MARS) and (3) acquisition cost less than $1. Consumer reviews were scanned. A total of 7 apps were culled from an expanding universe of thousands. This included top-rated apps in each of three symptom domains: depression, anxiety and cognitive disorders. Ranked in order of MARS rating the leading depression apps were “Depression CBT Self-Help Guide” and “eCBT Mood”. The most popular anxiety apps were “Stop Panic & Anxiety” and “Headspace”. The top apps for cognitive enhancement training were “Brain HQ” and “Fit Brains Focus”. In addition, the suicide prevention app “My3” was included because of its life saving potential. Consumers have rated the reviewed apps favorably. Conclusion: Smartphone apps are achieving wide acceptance in self-management of common psychiatric disorders. Clinicians need to become familiar with these adjunctive therapeutic tools, and integrate them in brief psychopharmacology visits.

Funding Acknowledgements

No funding.