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There was one that was posted on here not too long ago that I use called Flowy. It's on Android, not sure about iPhone. It's pretty silly but it works.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.playlab.flowyfree
Not cardboard, but Flowy.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.playlab.flowyfree
It's a little story with breathing exercises and its helped me with anxiety attacks in the past. One of the first apps I download now.
Maybe there's an iPhone version?
Hey there! I've been working through anxiety for 4+ years and have found a few really good helpers. First, if you have someone close like an SO or friend, talk to them if you feel comfortable enough. It's so hard at first but it helps a TON when you have someone to hold on to through a panic attack, or to talk to when you need a second opinion on something that may make you feel super nervous.
Second, I use 2 apps to help me out! The first is Flowy! It's basically a breathing exercise but also has a little minigame involved that has helped me tremendously. Really good for if you're alone and really need a distraction. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.playlab.flowyfree
Second, headspace! I just started using this. It's simple meditation that's super easy to do. It does cost for a subscription later on, but the first 10 sessions are free. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.getsomeheadspace.android
Hope I could help! I'm sorry you're going through this. Feel free to PM me if you need anything and I'll try to help. :)
Flowy, a game that helps you deal with anxiety and panic attacks. This is a free mobile game (currently in open beta), available on Android and iOS. It has been recently updated based on previous feedback; any feedback appreciated. There are some cool games here, so I'll be back with feedback later. Thanks for reading!
Have you checked out the app flowy?
It's designed to help relax you when you are having a panic attack.
Inspired by your post, here's things I do/use to help my own anxiety. (Because not every method works for everyone right?)
Beep Boop List:
4-7-8 Breathing Technique (I usually do 4-6-7, tiny lungs)
Flowy Beta App (Simple game app that has you breathe in time with a cloud while you guide a ship through obstacles)
Dots (Game app, simple puzzles consisting of dots, helps refocus thoughts onto the game. WARNING, the video for the game has flashing colors)
Touching my thumb to each of the fingers on the same hand in order, then in reverse. So thumb touching pointer, thumb touching index, thumb touching ring, thumb touching pinky finger. Rinse and repeat and reverse and repeat.
Music/White Noise to fill the silence for bedtime, Freebie Apps I use: Relax Melodies: Sleep & Yoga and Calming Music to Simplicity AND Rainymood
I've also started using Pocketcoach, through FB messenger. It is still a work in progress...if it seems helpful I will be spamming about it all over later on. I don't remember how I went downloading it, so I'll leave it up to others to find it for now.
Mantra: Every once in a while I can't remember any of the things listed above and start losing it a bit. I start repeating things or phrases in my head. At this point, its best to go with it...so I try changing the words to something more useful. Like, "I know what's best." or "I can make t, one more time." Something simple, over and over and slowing it down every time. Eventually it turns into breathing.
Best of luck to everyone!
It's about a year old, but this New York Times article might be helpful. It talks about video games that address mental illness in general: Depressed and Anxious? These Video Games Want To Help
Games mentioned
Sea of Solitude: depression
Celeste: depression and anxiety
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice: psychosis
Depression Quest: depression (go figure)
Night in the Woods and Pry: PTSD, alchohol abuse, anger, identity
To this list I would add Life Is Strange, which portrays depression, suicide, social phobia, PTSD, psychosis, and psychopathy in a straightforward and sometimes brutal way (depending on your in-game choices). The first episode of Life Is Strange is free. There are five episodes in total.
The Life Is Strange spin-off game The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, which is also free, addresses child abuse, addiction, and bereavement. (There is also a sequel, Life Is Strange 2, but I haven't played it so I can't tell you if it's relevant.)
I would give honorable mention to The Town of Light and What Remains of Edith Finch, which both address mental illness and the treatment of psychiatric patients, but probably not in ways that would be helpful to you.
The Times' article mentions Take This, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping video game designers portray mental illness in an helpful, accurate way. Motto: "It's OK to not be OK."
Take This has a list of games relevant to mental health. Some of the games are only tangentially related to mental illness (Spec Ops: The Line; uh, why?) but there are a number of games that sound just like what you're doing, listed here with their descriptions from Take This:
Deep: “DEEP is a meditative and psychoactive VR game that is controlled by breathing. Players don the Oculus Rift and the custom DEEP controller to explore a beautiful and mysterious undersea world. Allow the game to sweep you into its relaxing embrace as it teaches you yogic breathing techniques that can relieve stress, anxiety and mild depression. Take a DEEP breath and soar beneath the waves to meet ancient gods and strange lifeforms.”
Flowy: “Flowy is breathing made playful! Use Flowy to breathe calmly whenever you want, wherever you are. Flowy is a mobile game being used by thousands of people to manage their panic attacks and anxiety.”
MindLight: “MindLight is a video game aimed at children 8 – 12 years of age and is based on evidence-based principles of intervention with anxiety-disordered children and adults. ”
Nevermind: “Nevermind ushers you into dark and surreal worlds within the minds of trauma patients. When played with biofeedback technology (either via a standard webcam or supported heart rate sensor), Nevermind picks up on indications of fear – lashing out if you allow your feelings of anxiety to get the better of you.”
Reachout Orb: “ReachOut Orb is an innovative and engaging ‘serious’ game designed for use in Year 9 and 10 classrooms – mapped to the Australian HPE and NSW PDHPE Curriculums and General Capabilities – to improve students’ understanding of key factors and skills that contribute to improved mental fitness and wellbeing.”
SuperBetter: “SuperBetter increases resilience – the ability to stay strong, motivated and optimistic even in the face of difficult obstacles. Playing SuperBetter makes you more capable of getting through any tough situation—and more likely to achieve the goals that matter most to you.”
Actual Sunlight: “Take a walk on the thin line between hope and despair in Actual Sunlight: A short interactive story about love, depression and the corporation.” Issues explored: Depression – Suicide
The Cat Lady: “The Cat Lady follows Susan Ashworth, a lonely 40-year old on the verge of suicide. She has no family, no friends and no hope for a better future. One day she discovers that five strangers will come along and change everything…” Issues explored: Depression – Suicide
Elude: "Elude aims to raise awareness for depression and to inform about this dangerous illness. It is specifically intended to be used in a clinical context as part of a psycho-education package to enhance friends' and relatives' understanding of people suffering from depression about what their loved ones are going through." Issues explored: Depression
I hope you find some of this helpful.
You might try these:
Hello everyone! You may remember my original post in December where I talked about my experiences with anxiety and this leading to the development of a game called Flowy ( iOS and Android free versions). I received truly wonderful and constructive feedback, so thank you again, and am here to answer any questions you may have :)