We’re talking about PTSD resources this week and today’s resource is primarily for those who are already seeking treatment, but might need a little additional help – or coaching – in between sessions. Created by the VA’s National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and DoD’s National Center for Telehealth and Technology, PTSD Coach comes in two formats: online and an app. Each format has slightly different tools available and they can be used independently or together.
PTSD Coach Online: The online version of PTSD Coach is primarily a set of tools designed to help someone with PTSD and other types of stress, such as anxiety, cope with the symptoms. The tools are sorted into 10 categories: worry or anxiety, anger, sadness or hopelessness, sleep problems, trauma reminders, avoidance of stressful situations, disconnections from people, disconnection from reality, problem solving skills, and direction in life; though many of the tools appear in more than one category. Each tool features a short video introduction by a psychologist or other mental health professional, followed by the tool itself, usually in the form of a worksheet or video activity. Many of the tools involve relaxation and breathing techniques and goal setting exercises.
My assessment: The activities and tools seem sort of like mantras – something you might go back to if you feel like you are slipping off the wagon, so to speak. Each one is fairly short (longest video is 9 minutes, I think) and simple and they all seem designed to be used regularly to get back on track or help an individual focus during a panic attack or a period of drifting. I also thought the tools aren’t limited to those who are experiencing PTSD, as I don’t have PTSD but found the “Identify your values and goals” exercise to be useful.
PTSD Coach App: The app, which is available for both iPhone and Android products, contains four categories: Learn, Assess, Manage, Find Support. Under the Learn section, there are multiple tabs on specifics about PTSD. When you click on a tab, the app will start speaking to you, relating information about the topic, such as signs of PTSD. Under the Assess tab, there are a series of questions on symptoms you may be experiencing, such as hypervigilance or sleeplessness, which you are asked to rate on a scale from “Not at All” to “Extremely.” This section is also supposed to track the results of your multiple assessments, to help provide an overview of how your symptoms may be changing over time. Under the Manage tab, there are several exercises, such as controlled breathing or progressive relaxation, designed to essentially talk someone down from a bad place. Under the Find Support tab, there are the options to find someone, either in your personal network or a professional, to provide more help.
My assessment: The reviews on this app weren’t very good. I tested the app to see if the reviews were accurate and they were. While the breathing and progressive relaxation apps seem like they would be useful to someone who is in panic mode, they don’t prevent the phone from “sleeping” in the middle of the sequence, which ruins whatever calm may be restored to the individual. Also, I have had the same phone for several years now, as several commenters also did, and I noticed some of the same glitches that may be a result of that, such as pictures of smiling lightbulbs that seem like they are supposed to be part of an activity, but I only get the picture. Also, when I tried the assessment section, the questions popped up and let me choose my answer, but at the end, there was no result and the information wasn’t entered into the tracking chart. Overall, it seems like it might be useful as a resource if it worked like intended.
If you want to check out PTSD Coach for yourself, you can find the online version here and the apps are available (for free, at least through Android) in your respective app store.
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