Table of Contents
Are mental health apps successful?
Published reviews have found that mental health apps can be effective for reducing anxiety [8] and depression [9] with an overall effect size of small to moderate [10]. Within this research, there are some notable shortcomings, including substantial heterogeneity across studies. Do mental health apps work? Research from 2018 showed that mental health apps may help improve both the monitoring and management of mental health conditions. Further research from 2018 also suggested apps work because they’re easy to use, increase engagement in treatment plans, and make monitoring symptoms easier. The meta-analysis also found that the mobile apps were only effective in users who had self-reported mild-to-moderate depression. They had no significant impact on patients with major depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorders. mental health. Journaling your thoughts, emotions, and challenges has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. One reason: Putting down our problems on paper often helps us see the causes — and therefore solutions — more clearly. Negative effects of suppression Thought suppression is found to be a key contributor to mental disorders such as such as depression, anxiety disorder, panic attack, and obsessive-compulsive disorder​5​. Despite these apps dealing with incredibly sensitive issues — like depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence, eating disorders, and PTSD — they routinely share data, allow weak passwords, target vulnerable users with personalized ads, and feature vague and poorly written privacy policies.
Why do mental health apps fail?
Despite these apps dealing with incredibly sensitive issues — like depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence, eating disorders, and PTSD — they routinely share data, allow weak passwords, target vulnerable users with personalized ads, and feature vague and poorly written privacy policies. A mobile app removes the human element of a therapeutic relationship, which we know is a critical ingredient in treatment success. However, mobile apps can complement therapy through symptom trackers, reminders, reinforcement of skills, and community features to set goals and share progress. Published reviews have found that mental health apps can be effective for reducing anxiety [8] and depression [9] with an overall effect size of small to moderate [10]. Within this research, there are some notable shortcomings, including substantial heterogeneity across studies.