Apps for anxiety

[LizzieDarling]

DD has anorexia, she is having CBT and started on Sertraline 3 weeks ago, 25 mg for the first 10 days now on 50mg.

Her main issue is anxiety, constant pounding heart, mind whirring, insomnia. She says on a scale of 1- 10 her anxiety is at a 10 all the time, sometimes spiking to 15, when she has a panic attack. These have become less frequent, before Sertraline she was having 2/3 a day now they are not as long lasting and only around every second day.

GP prescribed Propranolol but even 80mg has no effect. I've noticed that after taking the Sertraline she becomes noticeably more anxious. She has tried all the breathing techniques/grounding exercises, but the eating disorder complicates matters, the ED voice in her head actively tries to stop her from doing anything self soothing.

I was wondering is anyone had any recommendations for apps which might distract her. I've got her into sudoku on her laptop which she says helps, it would be good to have something on her phone which would be absorbing and distracting.

Thanks

Hi Lizzie. Anxiety can be quite debilitating - I know because I used to have severe panic attacks for years! And my DD has also suffered from anxiety and insomnia. What has helped us is a combination of Mediation App Headspace, Mindfulness App Paint.ly , lots of hugs and cuddles, and healthy food combinations.
All the best 🤞🏼

Thanks so much @Koksha, I'll look those up

I'm so sorry to hear your daughter is suffering. This isn't what you want to hear but first starting anti depressants can make you feel more anxious to begin with and can take up to 3 months to settle. But once it settles they should help considerably. Sounds like it already has started to have an effect?

There's some meditation on YouTube specifically for anxiety panic attacks which could be worth a try.

Hope she feels better soon

There's a good one called clear fear. It's quite basic but a good distraction when you're panicking,