Calm Harm – manage self-harm

Not only is this app incredible for managing s/h urges, but for other struggles I've had with feeling overwhelmed by emotions, but also helped to manage stronger feelings of anxiety.

Kestrel679Tue, Apr 16, 2024

United States

I just downloaded the app and I’m already tearing up. I went through an extensive DBT program and this app focuses on a lot of the same principles I am already familiar with. One of my biggest triggers is idle hands. I get so antsy and bored and then overwhelmed by the tightness in my chest and paralyzed by options. It causes me to spiral and make impulsive decisions with negative consequences. It’s so refreshing to have a list of activities that are ACTUALLY doable for a neurodivergent person. Just taking a look around in this app reminded me that there are so many more ways to practice self care. It’s not all working out, skin care, and meal prepping. Sometimes it’s best to just sit and notice. Just be where you are ♥️

glowsandwichSun, Apr 7, 2024

United States

i first downloaded this app when i was 15, i’m turning 21 soon. i cannot tell you how thankful i am for this app. it worked so well i stopped using it about two years ago. even though every working coping skill i’ve learned has been from this app, i nearly forgot about it until today. worst panic attack i’ve had in my life, and it pulled me out of it in 2 minutes. rather, my thankfulness did. i was always partial to the comfort and release exercises. I did one of each and calmed myself enough to write this review. it’s not appropriate for me to describe the trenches i’ve been through, but in all of my major episodes i’ve turned to this app. i still remember being happy to see the update to hide exercises we didn’t like, suggesting and being happy to see exercises not asking for mobility or supplies. I don’t have right cocktail of emotional intelligence and vocabulary to say how thankful i am. i used to recommend this app like handing out candy on halloween. hopefully i won’t have to, but i absolutely will again. thank you so much, calm harm. just thank you.

JdjdjdjdhiswoosoaosTue, Mar 12, 2024

United States

It’s a pretty decent app. It’s help full when your feelings to self harm are like in between low and mid. But if you really feel like your going to it’s not the best. It does keep your streak and has a journal and stuff. You can either do a 1 min or 15 min exercise. Overall I think it’s pretty good

emolphintSat, Feb 3, 2024

United States

the only thing i would change is the fact that it stops giving you the little trophies after a year. having a higher goal to work towards after one year clean can be difficult :/

Raven.wtMon, Dec 11, 2023

United States

THIS APP IS AWESOME!!! Loves 💖 but I was wondering if you guys could add some more options/ activities. It’s AMAZING as I said but I’d really like more things whether it be loud or quiet cuz I get urges late at night but my mom has me go to bed at 8pm. And she hears one little creak and she is like “WHY ARE U UP?!” So yeah, would totally love more activities. LOTS OF LOVE :]

ShifterofrealityTue, Sep 26, 2023

United States

Adolescents can be particularly susceptible to self-harming behavior due to the unique state of a teen’s brain development. The Calm Harm app can offer support for adolescents who are navigating the challenges of self-harming behavior, especially when their developing brains are largely characterized by a more emotionally aroused limbic system and a still maturing frontal cortex. In his book Age of opportunity: Lessons from the new science of adolescence, developmental psychologist Laurence Steinberg characterizes the burgeoning interplay of these two regions during this phase akin to the relationship between a car’s gas pedal and brakes (Steinberg, 2014). At this stage, the teen’s frontal cortex—which is responsible for decision-making and impulse control—is still in the process of maturing. As the development of this region progresses, the teen’s limbic system of the brain—which plays an important role in generating emotions—is highly active and easily aroused. While the teen’s emotional gas pedal is highly active during this period, their ability to connect to their metaphorical brakes to self-regulate and practice forethought during heightened arousal is not fully in place. Given the circumstances of the teen brain’s development, the combination of the two regions’ states can lead to heightened emotional reactivity and a reduced ability to employ adaptive coping mechanisms in times of emotional distress. When encountering stress-inducing stimuli in particular, adolescents may revert more frequently to maladaptive coping mechanisms such as binge drinking, disordered eating, and self-harm (Laser & Nicotera, 2021, Ch. 2). By providing a curated selection of engaging, distraction-based activities and coping strategies, Calm Harm can be a viable option for redirecting focus from self-harming urges towards more adaptive means of coping. Using exercises under the app’s “Comfort,” “Express Yourself,” or “Release” categories; the app can be used as a tool to redirect the brain’s arousal away from self-harming urges and towards more positive and constructive responses to stress. As the teen gradually develops comfortable usage of their “braking system,” rational thought processes become less easily disrupted by fatigue, stress, and emotional arousal (Steinberg, 2014). While the app might not directly stimulate physical changes in the brain, it can provide a structured platform for adolescents to practice and develop skills that are associated with the teen’s developing prefrontal cortex functions like emotional regulation, responsible decision-making, and long-term coping strategies. Although Calm Harm is a useful tool for distraction from and coping strategies for self-injury, it is important to note that there are variations of self-injury and with their variations come different interventions based on the degree of severity. As such, self-injury, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are distinct behaviors with crucial differences in their underlying motivations. A teen engaging in suicidal self-injury has at least some intent to end their life whereas one who engages in NSSI typically engages in it as a coping mechanism (Slesinger, Hayes, & Washburn, 2019 in Laser & Nicotera, 2021). Keeping this in mind, a shortcoming of the Calm Harm app is that it is inadvisable to rely on it as a means for prevention of active suicidal intent. Those with active suicidal intent require more specialized and immediate support. In summation, Calm Harm can be as a valuable resource for adolescents struggling with non-suicidal self-injury. By offering a range of self-directed techniques and activities, it provides a worthwhile platform for redirecting towards healthier coping strategies. The app’s friendly interface, clear navigation, engaging activities, and tacit efforts to protect users’ privacy are among its most tangible strengths. Though its tools are empirically based and developmentally appropriate for adolescents, Calm Harm’s effectiveness is not a substitute for comprehensive care and even its interim success is dependent on the user’s willingness and ability to actively engage with its content. It is important for individuals dealing with severe and persistent self-injury to seek professional support. While Calm Harm is certainly a tool, it should be viewed as a single supplementary component in a highly comprehensive approach to adolescent mental health care.

MSW: Mustached Social WorkerWed, Sep 20, 2023

United States