12 Free Military Apps for Managing Life with Brain Injury

BrainLine
Free Military Traumatic Brain Injury Apps

The following apps were created for service members and veterans, their families, and the professionals who care for them. The apps help with issues ranging from stress and mood management to tools to help improve quality of care for people with mild traumatic brain injury.

Many of these apps have been designed for veterans and military service members but can be used by anyone experiencing physical, cognitive, and/or emotional symptoms that may be related to mild to moderate traumatic brain injury.

For more information about apps that may be helpful to those living with TBI and PTSD, read Life-Changing Apps for People with Brain Injury

NameDescriptionPriceDeviceHelps With
Anger and Irritability Management Skills (AIMS)AIMS is designed for anyone coping with anger problems. The app provides users with education about anger, opportunities for finding support, the ability to create an anger management plan, anger tracking, and tools to help manage angry reactions.FreeiOS, AndroidAnger, Mood, PTSD
Breathe2RelaxPortable stress management tool. The app is a hands-on diaphragmatic breathing exercise. Breathing exercises have been documented to decrease the body's “fight-or-flight” (stress) response,and help with mood stabilization,anger control, and anxiety management.FreeiOS, AndroidAnxiety, Stress, PTSD
CBT-I CoachCBT-i Coach is for people who are engaged in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia with a health provider, or who have experienced symptoms of insomnia and would like to improve their sleep habits. The app will guide users through the process of learning about sleep, developing positive sleep routines, and improving their sleep environments. It provides a structured program that teaches strategies proven to improve sleep and help alleviate symptoms of insomnia.FreeiOS, AndroidPTSD, Sleep Issues
Life ArmorTouch-screen technology allows the user to browse information on 17 topics, including sleep, depression, relationship issues, and post-traumatic stress. Brief self-assessments help the user measure and track their symptoms, and tools are available to assist with managing specific problems. Videos relevant to each topic provide personal stories from other service members, veterans, and military family members.FreeiOS, AndroidAnger, Anxiety, Family Concerns, Depression, PTSD, Sleep Issues
Mindfulness CoachMindfulness has been shown to be effective for reducing stress, improving emotional balance, helping with anxiety and depression, and coping more effectively with chronic pain. This app was developed to help you learn how to practice mindfulness. It offers exercises, information, and a tracking log so that you can optimize your practice.FreeiOSAnxiety, Depression, Headache, PTSD, Stress
Mood CoachMood Coach is an app that helps you learn and practice Behavioral Activation. This app is designed to help you boost your mood through participation in positive activities. You can make a plan with positive activities and track your progress.FreeiOSPTSD, Depression, Mood, Behavior
Moving ForwardMoving Forward provides on-the-go tools and teaches problem solving skills to overcome obstacles and deal with stress. The app is designed for Veterans and Service members, but is useful for anyone with stressful problems. It is especially helpful in managing challenges such as: returning to civilian life, balancing school and family life, financial difficulties, relationship problems, difficult career decisions, and coping with physical injuries. It may be used alone or in combination with the free Moving Forward online course.FreeiOS Anxiety, Family Concerns, PTSD, Stress
T2 Mood TrackerT2 Mood Tracker allows users to monitor their moods on six pre-loaded scales (anxiety, stress, depression, brain injury, post-traumatic stress, general well-being). Custom scales can also be built. Users rate their moods by swiping a small bar to the left or to the right. The ratings are displayed on graphs to help users track their moods over time. Notes can be recorded to document daily events, medication changes and treatments that may be associated with mood changes, providing accurate information to help health care providers make treatment decisions.FreeiOS, AndroidAnxiety, Anger, Depression, PTSD
Tactical BreatherThe Tactical Breather Trainer can be used to gain control over physiological and psychological responses to stress. Through repetitive practice and training, people can learn to gain control of their heart rate, emotions, concentration, and other physiological and psychological responses during stressful situations. Although these techniques were developed primarily for soldiers in combat, anyone can benefit from the ideas taught in this application to help with stressful situations in life. The app may be especially useful for service members and veterans with PTSD and/or TBI.FreeiOS, AndroidAnxiety, Anger, Emotions, PTSD, Stress
VetChangeVetChange is an app for Veterans and Service members who are concerned about their drinking and how it relates to posttraumatic stress after deployment, and for all people who are interested in developing healthier drinking behaviors. This app provides tools for cutting down or quitting drinking, tools for managing stress symptoms, education about alcohol use and how it relates to PTSD symptoms, and guidance to find professional treatment. You can use VetChange alone or in combination with counseling.FreeiOSAlcohol & Substance Use, PTSD

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New apps are coming out every day. Please share with us what apps have worked for you — or have not — in the comment section below.

Posted on BrainLine February 21, 2018.

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Comments (2)

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

I am not a veteran but have TBI and PTSD from rape from a car accident in my conversations with several military men with both.....a common challenge for all of us that has caused major marriage issues is papers, due dates and those type of responsibilities. Its more than a calendar it is life organization, sorting, understanding, planning, access in important information and prioritizing.

Is there an app specifically for an interactive planner?