Panic attacks can be overwhelming, hitting you out of nowhere without warning and leaving you feeling out of control. Up until recently, the common consensus has been that there’s not much that can be done in the moment other than taking a moment and breathing through it.
While this is arguably the best way to help ground yourself in a difficult moment, the good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. With technology advancing as much as it has, there are now several applications that can be used to facilitate the process of working through a panic attack. They’re specifically designed to help manage anxiety, regulate breathing and guide you through moments of distress.
In fact, often, the mere idea of knowing that the app is there and available for use in case of a successful episode can help ease anxiety in itself.
Top Apps To Help You Deal With Panic Attacks
These are nine apps that you should consider downloading if you struggle with anxiety and are predisposed to panic attacks.
Rootd
Rootd is a mobile application developed to help users manage panic attacks and anxiety through on-demand lessons, breathing exercises and even a panic button for immediate relief if necessary.
Founded by Ania Wysocka in 2017 in British Columbia, Canada, the app’s user-friendly interface and practical tools make it a valuable resource for individuals seeking immediate support during panic episodes.
Freespira
Freespira is a digital therapeutic device that works alongside an app, and it’s designed to normalise breathing patterns and reduce or eliminate panic attacks and PTSD symptoms.
It was developed by Palo Alto Health Sciences, founded in 2013 in California, USA. Freespira offers a non-medication treatment option by training users to stabilise CO2 levels through guided breathing exercises, addressing a physiological component of panic attacks.
Meru Health
Meru Health is an online mental health program offering an app-based treatment combining mindfulness practices, behavioral techniques and therapist support to address depression, anxiety and burnout.
The company was founded in Finland in 2015 by Kristian Ranta, and the program provides structured support and tools that can help individuals manage and reduce panic attack symptoms over time.
Breathe2Relax
Breathe2Relax is a portable stress management tool providing detailed information on the effects of stress on the body and instructions on diaphragmatic breathing exercises.
Developed by the National Center for Telehealth & Technology, a component of the U.S. Department of Defense, it offers exercises documented to decrease the body’s ‘fight-or-flight’ response, aiding in mood stabilization, anger control and anxiety management.
HeadSpace
Founded in 2010 by Andy Puddicombe and Richard Pierson in London, Headspace is a meditation and mindfulness app that offers guided sessions to improve mental well-being.
It provides specific resources for managing panic attacks, including techniques to ride out panic attacks, focusing on meditation, breathing exercises and grounding techniques to help users regain control during anxiety episodes.
Wysa
Wysa is an AI-driven chatbot that offers mental health support through evidence-based cognitive-behavioral techniques, meditation, and mindfulness exercises.
The company was developed by Jo Aggarwal and Ramakant Vempati in India, and Wysa provides an anonymous platform for users to manage stress, anxiety and panic attacks, offering immediate support and coping strategies.
CalmiGo
CalmiGo is a patented, handheld device that’s designed to provide immediate, drug-free relief from anxiety, panic attacks and PTSD symptoms.
Founded by Adi Wallach in Israel, CalmiGo makes use of personalised breathing regulation, multi-sensory stimulation and calming scents to activate the body’s calming mechanisms, offering quick relief during moments of heightened anxiety.
