Depression Software Encourages a Proactive Approach to Mental Health

Sydney, Australia (PRWEB) April 28, 2008 -- 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.

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