Customer Reviews (113)

Reviewocd • 2025-03-25T15:16:51-07:00

This app is honestly a very helpful app to use for someone who suffers either OCD. It explains what you might be facing if you have OCD (intrusive, irrational, unwanted thoughts, images, and urges). It allows you to answer some questions to reflect on the level of OCD you might be experiencing, and how much it affects you on a daily basis. It also provides small videos and an activity each day explaining methods you could prevent those obsessions and compulsions, allowing you to truly reflect and take each day one step at a time, and apply those helpful tools/ tips to your daily life. It is like a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps you identify and change those negative and unwanted thoughts/ behaviors after watching the clips and doing the exercise. This allows your mental health and well-being to improve everyday after completing the “lesson” of the day in the app.

vkgii • 2025-03-18T18:26:05-07:00

Doesn’t really have much technique or variation. It just gives you positive and negative thoughts to identify in hopes that repetition can alter your perception to challenges of cognitive distortions. As a therapist who is certified in exposure therapy, I was expecting actual exposure therapy or more challenging of thoughts rather than just grouping which thought is positive vs negative. This might be useful for a very beginner level of therapy or for someone with very low insight who isn’t aware of the impact of negative thinking. I believe it’s a bit of false advertising as an OCD app because the gold standard of treatment is ERP and it’s not practiced in this app. Labeling things can be helpful, but only to improve being more optimistic or finding motivation.. not for truly healing OCD or health anxiety. Definitely seems like a stepping stone towards actual therapy but not a replacement or worth $80/ a year in my opinion.

bettynbear • 2025-02-27T14:57:48-07:00

I’m honestly surprised by this app. It has been more helpful that I could imagine or expect. Grateful.

Summary of Key Insights

The OCD.app shows promise as a tool for managing OCD, anxiety, and related issues through positive self-talk and cognitive reframing techniques. Many users report positive experiences and find the app helpful, particularly as a complement to therapy. However, several critical issues emerge, including concerns about pricing and subscription models, technical bugs, grammatical errors, and the perceived lack of depth or personalization in the exercises. There's also a disconnect for some users who expect Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard for OCD treatment, which is not present in the app. Sentiment is generally positive, but the negative reviews highlight significant usability and ethical concerns that need addressing.

  • Overall Rating: The app has a mixed reception, with a noticeable divide between positive and negative experiences.
  • Strengths: Simple interface, helpful for cognitive reframing, positive reinforcement, and serves as a daily mental "trainer."
  • Weaknesses: Pricing concerns, bugs, grammatical errors, lack of depth in exercises, aggressive subscription tactics, and potential for triggering content.
  • Sentiment: Mixed, with a significant number of users reporting positive results, but a substantial minority experiencing frustration and dissatisfaction.
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 47.8%
    • 4-star: 18.6%
    • 3-star: 6.2%
    • 2-star: 8%
    • 1-star: 19.4%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 113 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified, but likely covers a range of recent updates and user experiences.
  • Analysis Methods: Manual review of app store reviews, identifying recurring themes, sentiment analysis (positive, negative, neutral), and keyword extraction to determine key user pain points, requested features, and positive aspects.

Key User Pain Points

  • Pricing and Subscription Issues:
    • Unexpected charges after free trials.
    • High cost of subscription.
    • Lack of clarity in subscription options (monthly vs. annual).
    • Difficulty canceling subscriptions and unresponsive customer support regarding refunds.
  • Technical Bugs and Glitches:
    • App crashing.
    • Modules not saving progress.
    • Inability to load the app past the initial screen.
    • UI issues, especially with older devices.
  • Content Quality and Depth:
    • Repetitive exercises with a lack of depth.
    • Grammatical errors and typos.
    • Generic affirmations that don't resonate with all users.
    • Lack of personalization.
    • Negative or triggering affirmations.
  • Lack of ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention): Some users, particularly those familiar with OCD treatment, find the app lacks the core principles of ERP, which is the gold standard treatment.
  • Annoying Notifications: Inspirational quote notifications that cannot be disabled.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Widget for Home Screen: Quick access to app features.
  • More Variety in Exercises: Users want more diverse and engaging activities.
  • Reset Button for Modules: Ability to easily repeat completed modules.
  • Toolbox Improvements: Easier access and organization of saved statements.
  • Skip Irrelevant Modules: Option to bypass modules that are not relevant to the user's specific issues.
  • More Detailed Training for Different OCD Types: Tailored content for specific subtypes of OCD.
  • Waves Breathing Exercise as a Standalone Feature: Easy access to the breathing exercise outside of modules.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Helpful for Cognitive Reframing: The app effectively helps users identify and replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
  • Simple and Easy to Use: Many users appreciate the app's straightforward interface and digestible content.
  • Effective as a Complement to Therapy: Users find the app beneficial in reinforcing concepts learned in therapy.
  • Daily Mental "Trainer": The app provides a structured daily routine for improving mental well-being.
  • Visually Appealing Design: Some users appreciate the illustrations and animations.
  • Educational: Helps users understand OCD and related conditions.
  • Cost-Effective (Potentially): Some users see the app as a cheaper alternative to frequent therapy sessions, if they find it effective.
  • Provides Immediate Relief: Some users report immediate relief from anxiety and negative thoughts.
  • Feeling "Seen" and "Heard": Users appreciate the app's ability to validate their experiences and make them feel less alone.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Pricing and Subscription Issues:
    • Provide clear and transparent pricing information.
    • Ensure accurate billing and prevent unexpected charges.
    • Simplify the subscription cancellation process.
    • Improve customer support responsiveness and offer refunds in justifiable cases.
  • Fix Technical Bugs and Glitches:
    • Prioritize bug fixes and stability improvements.
    • Thoroughly test updates before release.
    • Address compatibility issues with older devices.
  • Improve Content Quality and Depth:
    • Correct grammatical errors and typos.
    • Develop more diverse and engaging exercises.
    • Personalize content based on user needs and preferences.
    • Review and filter affirmations to avoid triggering or negative content.

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Frequently Requested Features:
    • Add a widget for home screen access.
    • Include a reset button for modules.
    • Improve the toolbox for saved statements.
    • Allow users to skip irrelevant modules.
  • Consider Incorporating ERP Principles: While the app focuses on cognitive reframing, exploring ways to integrate elements of ERP could enhance its effectiveness for OCD management.

Low Priority:

  • Improve Visual Imagery and Sounds: Enhance the app's aesthetics to create a more engaging and relaxing experience.
  • Offer More Detailed Training for Different OCD Types: This could be a longer-term goal as the app evolves.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Personalized Mental Health App: An app that tailors content and exercises based on individual user needs, preferences, and specific mental health conditions.
  • ERP-Focused OCD App: An app that directly implements Exposure and Response Prevention techniques for OCD management.
  • Affordable Therapy Companion App: An app that complements traditional therapy by providing daily exercises, progress tracking, and communication tools for therapists and patients.
  • AI-Powered Cognitive Reframing App: An app that uses AI to analyze user thoughts and provide personalized reframing suggestions in real-time.

Trends and Observations

  • Positive Initial Impressions: Many users are initially impressed with the app and report positive results within the first week.
  • Long-Term Effectiveness Concerns: Some users question the app's long-term effectiveness, particularly if the exercises become repetitive.
  • Subscription Fatigue: Users are increasingly wary of subscription models and prefer one-time purchase options.
  • Importance of Customer Support: Responsive and helpful customer support is crucial for building trust and retaining users.
  • Desire for Personalization: Users want apps that understand their unique needs and provide tailored content and experiences.

Conclusion

The OCD.app has the potential to be a valuable tool for managing OCD, anxiety, and related conditions. However, to achieve its full potential, the developers must address the critical issues identified in user reviews, particularly those related to pricing, technical bugs, and content quality. By prioritizing these improvements and focusing on personalization, the app can provide a more effective and satisfying experience for its users. Overall, while the app shows promise, it needs significant improvements to justify its cost and ensure a positive user experience.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ocd-app-anxiety-ptsd-cbt/id1140486359?uo=2