Key Takeaways
- Anxiety can affect people in various ways, including sleepless nights, feeling sick, panic, attacks, and more.
- Managing symptoms of anxiety can help keep you grounded enough to think clearly about any next steps.
- The Mind Ease App is our best overall because it’s free and caters to anxiety in various ways for different people and symptoms.
Anxiety is an extremely common but nonetheless very disruptive experience. Having anxiety can mean sleepless nights, missed opportunities, feeling sick, and panic attacks that can keep you from feeling like your full self.
Trying one of the apps for anxiety listed in this article may help you cope with and manage your symptoms. Having the tools to confront or embrace your anxious thoughts and feelings can be a great complement to therapy with a professional. It can also provide a sense of empowerment between sessions.
Apps are not a replacement for therapy
These apps may help manage any symptoms of anxiety or panic you may be feeling. However, they are not a replacement for emergency mental health services or therapy.
If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, call the Suicide and Crisis Helpline at 988, or visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for more resources.
$69.99/year
Android
starts at $39.99/year
Android
$139.99/year
Android
Android
$29.99/year
Android
To consider the best apps for anxiety, we considered a few things after it went through our rigorous vetting process. Because anxiety is the focus, we looked for features like a toolkit to help manage overwhelm and panic.
We also considered ease of use, price, and availability on iPhone and Android systems to make sure these apps were accessible to any and everyone who may need additional assistance.
Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress. For many people, it can manifest in a number of ways, like:
- increased heart rate
- rapid breathing
- restlessness
- trouble concentrating
- difficulty falling asleep
You may feel anxious and nervous if you’re taking a test or starting a new job. However, anxiety can become extreme when it affects your day-to-day life for an extended period of time.
If you have an anxiety disorder, you may feel fear, anxiety, panic, or worry at all or most times. They are the most common form of emotional disorder and can affect anyone at any age.
If you have anxiety, you can get help from a mental health professional who can help you identify the routes of your anxiety and how to manage it.
Talk with a doctor if you’re experiencing symptoms like:
- ongoing irritability or sadness
- extreme mood swings
- social withdrawal
- sleeping or eating habit changes
- anxiety that prevents you from living your daily life
- anxiety or panic attacks
Remember, you’re not alone and mental health professionals are specially trained to help you. It’s also important to remember that using an app isn’t a substitute for seeing a mental health professional or taking medication.
When considering different mental health apps for anxiety, it can be tricky to know which is the best one to choose. The truth is that people will benefit from each app differently, so trial and error may be the best way to know what’s right for you. Most apps come with a free trial period or a free or low cost plan.
When shopping around, consider what you want out of the app experience, such as guided meditation, relaxation techniques, or an engaging, intuitive way to record thoughts and feelings. Doing this can help you determine which app suits you best.
A number of anxiety apps are on the market, and many of them aim to help ease anxiety in a number of different ways. With the many options available, choose the app that works best for you.
It’s also important to keep in mind that some of these apps may not work for you at all. If you find that an app isn’t successful for you, consider trying a different one.
It’s also important to note that none of the apps listed here are meant to replace sessions with a trained mental health professional.
If you find that you need more mental health support while using these apps, be sure to schedule an appointment with a trained professional.
Depending on how often you use your apps of choice, they can be highly effective in helping to lower feelings of anxiety, stress, and panic. Many of these apps use evidence-based techniques of mindfulness and grounding. According to a 2012 review, these techniques have been found to calm the sympathetic nervous system, effectively reducing stress and creating a more relaxed body.
However, apps for anxiety don’t replace mental health professionals. They’re mainly designed to serve as a supplement to regular therapy appointments, or as distractions in moments of panic.
Apps for anxiety are:
- convenient
- mostly free or low cost
- accessible if you have a smartphone
They can also help improve moods and provide healthy coping mechanisms.
Anyone who is living with a serious mental health condition or addiction or feeling suicidal should, first and foremost, consult with their doctor or healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact a crisis hotline, such as the the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Text or call 988, or use the chat feature at 988lifeline.org.
This is because mental health apps are not intended to diagnose a condition or take the place of a mental health professional.