LibGuides: Social Anxiety Disorder: Common Assistive Technologies

What are assistive technologies?

Definition: The Technology Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 described an assistive technology device as "any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."

Assistive technologies can be both "high tech" and "low tech," ranging from canes and lever doorknobs to voice recognition software and augmentative communication devices (speech generating devices). According to the Georgia Tech Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (formerly known as AMAC Accessibility), use of assistive technology "is an emerging mental health treatment field which in many cases improves the accessibility, effectiveness and affordability of mental health care."

For more information about assistive technology, please see this copy of AMAC's 2015 presentation titled "Every Moment Counts: Using Assistive Technology to promote positive changes with mental health challenges in the classroom".

Finding assistive technology

EduTopia: Assistive Technology
Discover websites, blog posts, articles, and videos related to understanding, selecting, and assessing assistive technology.

Employees with anxiety disorders

Accommodation Ideas for Anxiety Disorders
The Job Accommodation Center provides guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. This page lists resources for effective accommodations for anxiety disorders.

Free mobile applications

Breathe2Relax
Designed by the National Center for Telehealth and Technology, this app is a portable stress management tool. Breathe2Relax helps you calm the "fight or flight" response anxiety disorders cause by utilizing diaphragmatic breathing exercises.
Calm
Calm aims to improve sleep quality, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve focus.
eMoods Mood Tracking
eMoods allows you to track your highs and lows, sleep, medications, and other symptoms related to anxiety and other disorders. You can email a report to your doctor or therapist at the end of every month so they can better identify your triggers and understand your mood cycles.
MindShift CBT
This application allows users to engage in forms of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most effective treatment methods for those who suffer from social anxiety disorder. Additionally, users have access to several other amenities, such as a thought journal, coping cards, and healthy habits, as well as the ability to make check-in updates and set personal goals.
MoodTrack Diary
This app allows you to track your moods freely and rate them from 1-5. Moods are displayed in a timeline, which makes it easy to visualize your mood cycles. Also available is the chance to connect and support others who use the app.
Sanvello
This application provides users with tools used by psychologists to cope with and combat anxiety, stress, and depression, including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness meditation, relaxation, and mood/health tracking. It also allows for peer support through chats and the ability to help users find a local therapist.
Self-help App for the Mind (SAM)
This application helps users understand and manage their anxiety in a variety of media formats/self-help exercises. It also allows for users to create their own personalized toolkit with tools that work for them.
What's Up? - A Mental Health App
This application allows users to engage in forms of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most effective treatment methods for those who suffer from social anxiety disorder.

Applications requiring form of purchase

Acupressure: Heal Yourself
This application contains illustrated instructions on how to make over 90 point combinations for acupressure massages. (While the information in this app does NOT substitute for medical advice, acupressure is reputed as a safe way to help release muscular tension and, thereby, help alleviate physical manifestations of anxiety.)
Headspace
The Headspace application can help reduce anxiety and stress and improve well-being by guiding users through meditation sessions.
Relax & Rest Guided Meditations App
This application provides users with three guided meditations of varying lengths, as well as an option to include music tracks and/or nature sounds that are embedded in the application.
Worry Watch
This application acts as a journal for users to document and keep track of their thought trends. It primarily helps users undergo processes of recording, reflecting, reasoning, realizing, and refuting.