Help is One Click Away When Panic Strikes

With the Ride the Wave app on your phone you are one click away from using the techniques to help your through a panic attack recommended by top psychologists. 

Ride the Wave

Instant help when you are having a panic attack

Developed by psychologists

Seven techniques to help you through an attack

Make a plan to prevent future panic attacks

Choose your purchase option:

Single User $19.95

One-time purchase, not a subscription. 

Ride the Wave is based on research-based techniques that show the best way to deal with panic and intense anxiety is just "ride the wave" until it passes. Many people do the opposite, trying to stop the attack or distract themselves from their feelings, but that often just makes things worse.   

 

While you can use the app alone (like a self-help book) ifpanic attacks are severe and/or recurrent, it will be most effective when used with the guidance of an experienced metnal health professional. 
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Ride the Wave - Professional Version

The professional version of the app is for therapists who want to add this technique to their toolkit for handling panic and other anxiety disorders. The professional version gives you 10 codes to share with 10 different clients. Their data is only stored on their phones, but their progress can be shared with you if they choose by downloading a PDF summary with one click.  The summary shows the length of the panic attack, the degree of discomfort as the attack progresses, and the techniques used to "ride the wave." 

 

The Ride the Wave App includes seven distress tolerance techniques founded in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as a prevention plans based on exposure therapy.  

Choose your purchase option:

10 Users $34.95

One-time purchase, not a subscription. 

 how it works

Panic rises. Panic falls. You feel like you are in danger, but you are not. This apps helps you train your brain to accept that your anxiety and fear are just emotions and they will pass. 

1

Rate Your Panic 

When you sign on to the app, you start by rating your panic on a 1- to -10 scale. The app reminds you to rate your panic every few minutes, so you become aware that your feelings are changing.

2

Choose From Seven Distress Tolerance Techniques 

People have different preferences in helping them tolerate their anxiety, from a cold water reset to a "ride the wave" meditation (listening to waves breaking on the shore while practicing  deep breathing). Choose the technique that helps you the most or try all seven. 

3

Acknowledge the Wave Has Passed 

 When you feel like your anxiety has subsided, you click the "Wave Has Passed" button. You'll then rate your distress level again and think about what has helped. 

4

One Button Access

We recommend you learn how the app works when you are not feeling in distress. After reviewing the techniques, you can connect one to a simple Ride the Wave button which is the only thing you will see when you next open the app. Tapping the button will start your favorite technique. 

5

Prevent Future Panic Attacks 

During a time when you are not feeling anxiety or fear, go back to the app and create a Panic Prevention Plan. This plan, called "exposure therapy" will be most effective when used under the guidance of a mental health professional. 

Riding Out the Panic

Try out all seven techniques when you are not in a state of panic.  The more you use them, the more you train your brain to realize:

  • You are not drowning. You are not in danger. 
  • Your feelings of panic and anxiety are temporary.
  • You don't need to eliminate your anxious feelings; they will go away on their own.
  • You can learn the skills to stay afloat.
  • The goal is tolerance, not escape.  
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Press One Button for Help

You can learn how the app works in just a few minutes. You can then set a Ride the Wave button so that it opens your preferred distress tolerance technique with one tap. Intense feelings of panic usually last about 10 minutes and most people report that the "wave" of fear and anxiety is over in an hour.  The more you practice distress tolerance techniques the easier it will be for you to handle panic attacks.  

How Your Brain Works When You "Ride the Wave"

When your brain perceives danger—whether there is a real danger or not—the sympathetic nervous system activates the fight-or-flight response. Your body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and norepinephrine.  These biochemicals are what cause the physiological symptoms that can be scary like rapid heartbeat, trembling, and dizziness. But the nervous system is not designed to stay at maximum activation indefinitely. As you "ride the wave" the body naturally begins to restore balance through the parasympathetic nervous system, sometimes called the "rest and digest" system. You can think of the sympathetic nervous system as the gas pedal and the parasympathetic nervous system as the brake. The parasympathetic system slows the heart, normalizes breathing, and relaxes your muscles. Stress hormones decline as they are absorbed into the blood stream. 

Sharing Your Progress with a Professional

Ride the Wave is not intended to replace professional help. The app was developed by a team of psychologists at Between Sessions Resources, Inc., as a tool to help people when a panic attack occurs. A professional therapist can teach you other techniques to help you overcome your panic attacks, and the data collected by the app can accelerate your progress. 

 

It's important to note that data is only stored on your device, never on the cloud. Whether or not you wish to share your data is completely up to you. 

Special Features

Seven techniques to help you ride the wave of anxiety.

One click access if you are in a panic. 

View the history of your panic attacks for greater understanding. 

Create a plan to help prevent future panic attacks. 
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Need more answers about any of our products?

 

Write us at: 

info@betweensessions.com

frequently asked questions

Is the data collected on the app private?

Yes, the information about how you use the app is only stored on your personal device.  You can share your data if you want or just use it yourself for a deeper understanding. 

Who created this app?

The app was created by a team of psychologists at Between Sessions Resources, Inc., a recognized leader in developing practical psychological tools and techniques.

What age group is this app intended for?

The app is designed to be used with people over 16 years of age. It is intended to be used along with professional support with teens and people with recurring panic attacks. 

What is the difference between a panic attack and Panic Disorder?

Panic attacks are relatively common, but only a small percentage of people will be diagnosed with Panic Disorder. People diagnosed with a Panic Disorder have  recurrent panic attacks and typically spend a lot of time fearing future attacks and avoiding situations that might trigger an attack.    

Can this help someone diagnosed with agoraphobia?

Yes, definitely. Exposure therapy is the most effective treatment for agoraphobia because it teaches people distress tolerance techniques. The goal is not to eliminate anxiety; it is to learn that anxiety can be tolerated and will naturally subside. This is a key realization for people diagnosed with agoraphobia.

Do I have to pay a monthly or annual fee?

No, Ride the Wave  is not a subscription. This is a one-time purchase.