I Tried the Worry Watch App in 2023—Here's My Review

As a practicing psychologist, I'm familiar with the challenges of anxiety and often incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques in my practice. When I heard about Worry Watch, a CBT-based anxiety management app, I was intrigued. Here's a detailed review of my experience using the app for a month:

Initial Impressions

Worry Watch is designed as a guided journal with journaling, coping skills, meditations, and affirmations. While the features are comprehensive, I found it concerning that none of the app's developers have mental health expertise. This raised questions about the accuracy and effectiveness of the app's content.

Cost

Worry Watch offers both free and paid versions. The free version is limited, allowing only one journal entry per day. To access all features, users need to purchase a one-year subscription for $11.99. Compared to similar apps, this is relatively affordable.

Privacy Policy

Worry Watch's privacy policy assures users that the app doesn't collect or use their data. It states that the developers don't have access to users' passcodes or information inputted into the app. Additionally, users can delete all entered data at any time. This commitment to user privacy is commendable.

Using Worry Watch

The guided journal feature allows users to record thoughts, feelings, and worries. For each entry, users can indicate their anxiety level and add a reason or trigger. The app then prompts users to reflect on their entries and identify cognitive distortions or biases that may contribute to their anxiety. This helps users become more aware of their thought patterns and their impact on their emotional state.

Worry Watch also offers various coping skills, including breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and guided meditations. These exercises aim to calm the mind and body and reduce anxiety symptoms.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Utilizes evidence-based CBT strategies to reduce anxiety
• Offers a range of coping skills and tools
• Affordable paid version
• Respects user privacy

Cons:

• Free version is quite limited
• No mental health experts involved in development
• Lack of specific research on Worry Watch's efficacy
• Robotic voice in coping skills section

Final Thoughts

Worry Watch incorporates evidence-based CBT techniques and provides various mindfulness-based coping skills. However, the lack of mental health expertise in its development raises concerns.

While I found the app helpful for monitoring thoughts and practicing coping skills, I recommend users consult with qualified mental health providers to oversee their use of the app and ensure it aligns with their individual needs and treatment goals.

Overall, Worry Watch can be a helpful tool for managing anxiety using CBT strategies. However, it's essential to use it with caution and in conjunction with professional guidance to ensure its effectiveness and safety.

Additional Points:

• More personalized recommendations could enhance the app's functionality.
• The user interface is user-friendly and well-designed.
• More variety and customization options for coping skills and meditations would be beneficial.