On a weekday morning, the individual planned to walk to the local bakery, just two minutes from home. Despite wanting to go, anxiety began building as soon as the idea of leaving the house came up. Physical symptoms of anxiety appeared, such as a racing heart, shallow breathing, and intrusive thoughts about something going wrong. In the past, these feelings would have stopped them from leaving altogether, leading them to rely on a parent to go out instead. That morning, they also felt low in motivation to eat properly and struggled to complete their personal care routine, which made the idea of going out feel even more overwhelming.
With Brain in Hand
They used the check-in feature in the app and recognised that their anxiety was rising. They then opened a personalised solution pack they had created with their coach, which included calming breathing exercises and reassuring reminders such as “This walk is short and familiar” and “I can turn back if I need to.” A step-by-step plan helped break their morning tasks down - get dressed, put on shoes, step outside, walk to the bakery. Knowing each step in advance helped reduce uncertainty. A support worker accompanied them on this first walk, providing reassurance while encouraging them to follow their own plan using the app.
After reaching the bakery and returning home safely, they logged the experience in the app, noting what had helped and how their anxiety changed throughout the walk. Although the anxiety didn’t disappear, it became more manageable, and the sense of achievement boosted their confidence and self-worth.
The results
Over time, repeating small, supported trips like this helped reduce isolation and increase independence. Using Brain in Hand alongside initial support allowed them to build trust in their own ability to cope, gradually lessening reliance on others and supporting a more confident, independent daily life.