The VA and Department of Defense have developed new cellphone apps aimed at helping veterans in a new kind of battle -- against post-traumatic stress disorder.Creators of the apps say help is now available at the click of a button."It's a spiral downhill," Air Force veteran Edward Shepherd said.Shepherd served in Iraq and Afghanistan and suffers from PTSD. He's home now, but said in a way, he never left."Sometimes, it's two to three minutes that you're amped up; sometimes it's two or three hours. So you don't sleep for days at a time," Shepherd said.Shepherd and other veterans are using the apps "PTSD Coach" and "Battle Buddy". Creators say the apps help with muscle relaxation, and when something triggers PTSD, the app walks them through how to relax or shows them a calming picture like their family.According to the creators, the apps monitor symptoms and report data to the veteran's doctor."It really helped a lot to kind of keep everything in rhythm," Shepherd said. "A lot of us tend to go with what works, but in this fight, we don't know what works. We're learning new stuff every day.The apps are not meant to diagnose anything or replace counseling, but they are a tool to help veterans.Click here for more information on PTSD Coach.Click here for more information on Battle Buddy.

The VA and Department of Defense have developed new cellphone apps aimed at helping veterans in a new kind of battle -- against post-traumatic stress disorder.

Creators of the apps say help is now available at the click of a button.


"It's a spiral downhill," Air Force veteran Edward Shepherd said.

Shepherd served in Iraq and Afghanistan and suffers from PTSD. He's home now, but said in a way, he never left.

"Sometimes, it's two to three minutes that you're amped up; sometimes it's two or three hours. So you don't sleep for days at a time," Shepherd said.

Shepherd and other veterans are using the apps "PTSD Coach" and "Battle Buddy". Creators say the apps help with muscle relaxation, and when something triggers PTSD, the app walks them through how to relax or shows them a calming picture like their family.

According to the creators, the apps monitor symptoms and report data to the veteran's doctor.

"It really helped a lot to kind of keep everything in rhythm," Shepherd said. "A lot of us tend to go with what works, but in this fight, we don't know what works. We're learning new stuff every day.

The apps are not meant to diagnose anything or replace counseling, but they are a tool to help veterans.

Click here for more information on PTSD Coach.

Click here for more information on Battle Buddy.