Fear Nix For Anxiety & Phobias

Fear is an essential survival instinct that protects us from imminent dangers. But when it becomes excessive, persistent and starts interfering with our daily function, well being or quality of life it is time to nix it.

While there many options available to treat phobias, therapists often consider Systematic Desensitization, a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), as a first line of treatment. It is a form of exposure therapy where a person is encouraged to face the fear gradually in a controlled setting paired with coping skills (relaxation techniques) such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation under a therapist’s guidance.

Fear Nix app provides a journaling interface to log your experiences of facing the fear gradually based on a fear hierarchy in different exposure settings & coping skills. For example you could start with the imaginary setting, pair it with deep breathing, log how you feel and your fear response - fight, flight or freeze in the app.

Based on the data entered over a series of such exposures, Fear Nix app displays visually appealing statistics to analyze and find out what helps facing your fear. With Fear Nix app you can log & track multiple phobias, create your own strategies, hierarchies and coping skills - all neatly categorized in an elegant interface. You can also export the journal and the statistics in pdf format to share it with your therapist.

Fear Nix offers more:
- Passcode protection
- Backup / restore using iCloud sync
- 12 beautiful color themes
- 72 different fonts
- Preferred start day of week
- Daily or specific reminders
- Inspirational quotes
- Customized icon and colors for fear response
- Advanced search filters
- Work offline, no internet connection is required except during iCloud sync

How to use the app:
1. Identify your fear & a strategy to nix it.
2. Create a fear hierarchy - list of stimuli (triggers) from least most feared
3. Log your fear exposure details - fear response, stimulus, setting, coping skill used, intensity level
4. Set daily or specific reminders to keep nixing your fear
5. Find out what helps to face your fear based on statistics
6. Track your progress using charts
7. Strike your fears with streaks

The app has below pre-defined strategies, settings and coping skills.

Strategies (you can create your own too):
- Systematic Desensitization
- Flooding

Settings:
- Imaginal: In your mind
- Virtual: Computer or device simulated
- In Vitro: Controlled environment
- In Vivo: For real
- Augmented: Any combination of above

Coping Skills:
(listing only, no instructions; you can create your own too)
- Deep Breathing
- Guided Imagery
- Hypnosis
- Medication
- Mindfulness Meditation
- Physical Activity
- Self-Massage
- Social Support
- Yoga

Before using the app, work with your therapist to learn coping skills and the strategy appropriate for you.

Know that you are not alone. Below are some of the common phobias faced by many:
1. Aerophobia: Fear of flying
2. Acrophobia: Fear of heights
3. Arachnophobia: Fear of spiders
4. Agoraphobia: Fear of open or crowded spaces
5. Mysophobia: Fear of germs
6. Cynophobia: Fear of dogs
7. Claustrophobia: Fear of restricted small spaces
8. Trypophobia: Fear of holes
9. Trypanophobia: Fear of needles
10. Glossophobia: Fear of public speaking

Note: Fear Nix app is not intended to substitute or replace professional medical advice or treatment of your physician or therapist. If you have a medical condition or health concern you should always consult with a physician or other qualified health care professional.