How Using a Mood Tracker App Could Help Your Mental Health

Mood tracker apps have gained immense popularity, with nearly 500 available on Apple's App Store alone. This surge in popularity suggests that people are actively seeking ways to track their moods and improve their mental well-being. These apps offer a range of benefits that can be instrumental in managing mental health.

Benefits of Using a Mood Tracker App

1. Visualization of Trends:

Mood tracker apps enable users to visually represent their mood patterns over time. This helps individuals identify triggers, patterns, and factors that influence their moods, promoting self-awareness and understanding.

2. Sharing with Therapists:

Data collected by mood tracker apps can be shared with therapists or doctors. This information can provide valuable insights into an individual's mental health and treatment progress, facilitating more personalized and effective interventions.

3. Coping Tools and Resources:

Many mood tracker apps offer a range of coping tools and resources to assist users in managing difficult emotions, reducing stress, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in self-care activities.

4. Reminders:

Mood tracker apps can provide reminders for various self-care activities such as medication adherence, journaling, meditation, going to bed on time, and other healthy habits.

How Mood Tracker Apps Work

1. Recording Moods:

Mood tracker apps allow users to record their mood, including factors that may be impacting their mental health, such as sleep quality, nutrition, exercise, and stressors.

2. Identifying Patterns:

The app analyzes the data entered to identify patterns and trends in a user's mood. This information can help individuals understand the relationship between certain activities, behaviors, and their moods.

3. Coping Tools:

Depending on the app, users may have access to coping tools tailored to their reported mood. These tools may include guided meditations, breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, or positive affirmations.

4. Communication with Professionals:

Mood tracker apps can serve as a platform for communication between individuals and mental health professionals. Data collected by the app can be shared during appointments, providing valuable context and insights for treatment.

Efficacy of Mood Tracker Apps

Research has shown that mood tracker apps can be effective in improving mental health. For example:

1. Predictive Technology:

Some apps utilize machine learning to predict a user's mood based on various factors like location, movement, and phone usage. Studies have demonstrated an accuracy rate of 80-90% in predicting depressive and non-depressive states.

2. Improved Mental Health:

Studies have found that mood tracker apps can promote feelings of self-efficacy and empowerment, leading to improved mental health outcomes.

Who Should Consider Using Mood Tracker Apps?

1. Individuals with Mood Disorders:

Mood tracker apps can be beneficial for people with mood disorders like major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. They can help track symptoms, identify triggers, and monitor treatment progress.

2. Symptom Reduction:

Mood tracker apps that provide education on cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Popular Mood Tracker Apps

1. Bearable: Bearable offers in-depth data analysis and reports, providing users with comprehensive insights into their mood patterns.

2. MoodCast: MoodCast allows users to record their moods as weather conditions, promoting a unique and creative way of tracking emotions.

3. eMoods: eMoods is specifically designed for individuals with bipolar disorder, including features like a medication tracker, mood graph, and safety planning tools.

4. Daylio: Daylio provides customizable options, enabling users to choose prompts, reminders, and emojis to track their moods and activities.

5. MindShift CBT: MindShift CBT offers tools based on cognitive-behavioral therapy principles, helping users challenge negative thoughts, practice mindfulness, and develop coping strategies.

Considerations Before Use

1. Lack of Clinical Validation:

It's important to note that many mood tracker apps have not been clinically validated, and their effectiveness may vary. Some apps may even be harmful if they promote inaccurate information or provide misleading advice.

2. Not a Replacement for Therapy:

Mood tracker apps should not be used as a substitute for therapy or contact with a mental health professional. They are intended to complement treatment and provide additional support.

3. Consult with Professionals:

Before using a mood tracker app, it's advisable to discuss it with a healthcare provider or mental health professional to ensure it aligns with best practices and is appropriate for individual needs.