Experiencing occasional anxiety is a completely normal part of life. It usually occurs when you are feeling fearful and nervous about doing something or not knowing what’s to come. These can be events such as moving to a new place, going on a job interview or giving a speech.
However, if your feelings of anxiety become extreme, last for a longer period of time and interfere with your daily life, then the chances are you may have an anxiety disorder.
Generally speaking, anxiety disorders are the most common form of emotional disorder which can affect anyone at any age. According to statistics, about 40 million adults in the US are suffering from some type of anxiety disorder. The good news is these mental health illnesses can be treated in a variety of ways, one being the use of modern technology.
In this article, we outline how advances in technology can help in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Comfort and convenience
One of the great things about using modern technology for treating anxiety is that it offers patients comfort. Immersive technologies such as virtual reality help people better understand what to expect during their health treatment plan. This knowledge further helps reduce their anxiety, increasing patient engagement by making individuals active participants.
Besides that, using virtual reality therapy for anxiety disorders also offers convenience and flexibility by allowing patients to receive treatment in the comfort of their home. This comes especially in handy for those who are unable to commute. Many of the games and activities individuals learn within the applications can also be applied outside of the virtual world without using the VR headset.
Diverse technology-based treatments for anxiety
Besides virtual reality, there are many other technology-based treatments you can rely on to manage anxiety. Some of the most commonly used ones include biofeedback, transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroconvulsive therapy.
For example, biofeedback is a mind-body technique that teaches people how to control bodily processes such as heart rate, body temperature and muscle tension to alleviate anxiety symptoms. By learning to do so, individuals are able to relax their mind and body. Depending on the kind of results you are looking to accomplish, your therapist can assign one or more of the following biofeedback techniques:
- Respiratory biofeedback
- Heart rate variability biofeedback
- Thermal biofeedback
- Neurofeedback
- Electromyography
24-hour online support
Another great way modern technologies can help in the treatment of anxiety disorders is they offer 24-hour online support to patients. This means that whenever you feel anxious and want to seek immediate medical advice from your doctor or therapist, you can do so by contacting them online to receive additional support outside of sessions.
Whether you use instant-messaging apps or video conference software, modern technologies remove the barrier created by distance. Your doctor will be able to give you remote diagnosis and treatment wherever you are which will further help soothe any anxiety you have from worrying about not being able to get access to your physician.
Tracking progress on apps
In addition to the numerous immersive technologies available, there are also many tracking apps you can use to track and manage your anxiety-related symptoms. In these applications, you can record information about your habits and potential triggers of anxiety you experience. Thanks to the anxiety tracking log, you will be able to see a pattern in your behavior and use that information to search for better management solutions.
Some commonly used anxiety tracking apps you can consider are Anxiety Release, Daylio, Worry Watch and MindShift CBT. All of these apps allow you to track your anxiety levels and mood swings, and also give you strategies on how to overcome your anxiety, panic attacks and phobias.
Final thoughts
The advancements in technology have made many things possible, including treating anxiety. This common mental disorder can easily interfere with people’s daily lives, causing them to feel anxious and nervous. This is where modern technology can come in handy to alleviate the symptoms and allow patients to receive remote diagnoses and at-home treatment from specialized doctors and therapists.
From using various immersive technologies to providing online support, there are so many ways how modern technology can help in the treatment of anxiety. For more information, refer to our post and learn about the benefits of using technology to treat anxiety disorders.
