Sydney-based company Crackatonic Projects has developed Optimism, a software application for people with depression, to help them take a pro-active approach to their mental health.
Episodes of depression are triggered by a combination of factors that are unique to each individual. Optimism software helps users to take a pro-active approach to their mental health,
providing a platform for actively learning about their depression and identifying its patterns at their own, individual level.
When a person monitors the patterns in their lifestyle, they begin to identify many internal and external factors that can impact their health. From regular data input, Optimism tracks a
persons mood, exercise, sleep, and other factors that are potential triggers, symptoms or stay-well activities.
Relationships between these factors are presented in Optimism visually, uncovering the various cause and effect relationships and giving a compelling insight into the illness. Using
Optimism just a few minutes each day enables the person to develop a personalized, robust plan for staying healthy.
Early feedback is very positive:
"Optimism is exactly what I needed to finally start keeping track of my mood swings, and of what I do that encourages the ups (and the downs). I love how simple it is to use. And I
appreciate how dedicated you are to improving Optimism, personally responding to my feedback and incorporating many good ideas from your user-base. Wow! Nice work you've been up to I love
all the things that are on your list. This little program is growing quite nicely!"
Rees
Optimism software:
* Monitors health easily: it prompts users to keep a record of all things that impact their mental health, both positive and negative. It creates a valuable record of depression triggers,
symptoms, and useful stay-well strategies.
* Identifies cause and effect relationships: simple to follow, visual representations highlight connections between those factors that positively and negatively affect mental health.
* Finds strategies to stay healthy: the user can quickly discover what works and what doesn't.
* Helps to plan for lasting mental health: the user can formulate a "Stay Well Plan", a dynamic document that they adjust as they learn more about managing their depression.
* The Plan, Charts and Report can be emailed in PDF format. This provides an opportunity for close monitoring or treatment by a health professional or carer.
Pricing and Availability:
Optimism software is available in Windows and Mac versions, with a full-featured, 7-day trial. A single user license is $19.95 USD. Registered customers receive all subsequent releases
free of charge.
LINKS:
Software Landing Page (http://www.findingoptimism.com/software/overview.html)
Software Charts Screenshot (http://www.findingoptimism.com/software/images/window_graph1.jpg)
Software Input Panel Screenshot (http://www.findingoptimism.com/software/images/window_record.jpg)
Application Icon (http://www.findingoptimism.com/software/images/redhand.jpg)
ABOUT CRACKATONIC PROJECTS:
Crackatonic Projects is a private company located in Sydney, Australia. It is involved in graphic design and software development in the health industry, with a leaning towards mental
illness projects.