Cathexis Support

Your Personal Panic Attack Companion

We're here to help you get the most out of your panic attack support app.

🇺🇸 United States
  • Emergency: 911
  • Mental Health Crisis: 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
  • Emergency: 999
  • Mental Health: 116 123 (Samaritans)
  • Crisis Text: Text SHOUT to 85258
🇪🇺 European Union
  • Emergency: 112
  • Mental Health: Contact your local crisis service
🇦🇺 Australia
  • Emergency: 000
  • Mental Health: 13 11 14 (Lifeline)
🇨🇦 Canada
  • Emergency: 911
  • Mental Health Crisis: 1-833-456-4566

Quick Start Guide

First Time Using Cathexis?

  1. Explore the Home Screen - Purple SOS button for immediate panic support. Navigation tabs: Home, Breathing, Journal, Settings
  2. Set Up Emergency Contacts (Optional) - Settings → Emergency Contacts. Add trusted contacts for quick access during crisis
  3. Customize Your Experience - Settings → Theme (choose your preferred visual style). Settings → Breathing Patterns (customize timing)
  4. During a Panic Attack - Tap the large purple SOS button, follow guided breathing exercises, use 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding technique, read Truth Cards for reassurance

Feature Guides

Immediate panic attack support when you need it most.

  • Tap the purple SOS button on home screen
  • Access calming voice guidance
  • Follow breathing exercises
  • Use grounding techniques
  • Quick access to emergency contacts

Multiple proven breathing patterns with visual guidance.

Available patterns:

  • 4-7-8 Breathing: Inhale 4s, Hold 7s, Exhale 8s
  • Box Breathing: Equal timing (4-4-4-4)
  • Deep Breathing: Slow, calming breaths
  • Custom: Create your own pattern

Tip: Practice breathing exercises when calm to build muscle memory.

A sensory technique to reconnect with the present moment.

Identify:

  • 5 things you can see
  • 4 things you can touch
  • 3 things you can hear
  • 2 things you can smell
  • 1 thing you can taste

Challenge panic thoughts with reassuring truths.

  • Browse 15+ pre-written cards
  • Create custom cards with personal affirmations
  • Quick access during panic attacks
  • Edit or delete cards anytime

Track your panic attacks to identify patterns.

Log details:

  • Date and time
  • Intensity (1-10)
  • Duration
  • Location
  • Triggers
  • Symptoms
  • What helped

Why log? Tracking helps you and your therapist identify patterns and triggers.

Express yourself with guided prompts.

Features:

  • 30+ guided journal prompts
  • Free-form writing
  • Mood tracking (1-10 scale)
  • Rich text formatting
  • Private and encrypted

Privacy & Security

Your Data, Your Device

Cathexis is designed with privacy as the top priority:

  • ✅ 100% Offline Functionality - No internet required
  • ✅ Local Storage Only - All data stays on your device
  • ✅ Encrypted - Protected with iOS security
  • ✅ No Tracking - Zero third-party analytics by default
  • ✅ No Ads - Ad-free experience
  • ✅ No Account Required - Use immediately, no sign-up

Troubleshooting

Problem: Breathing exercise audio or SOS voice guidance not playing.

Solutions:

  1. Check device volume (not on silent)
  2. Check ringer/silent switch on side of device
  3. Restart the app
  4. Check Settings → Audio to verify audio is enabled
  5. Restart your device

Problem: Cannot add or call emergency contacts.

Solutions:

  1. Grant Contacts permission: Settings → Cathexis → Contacts → Allow
  2. Ensure you've added contacts in Settings → Emergency Contacts
  3. Verify contact has valid phone number
  4. Try removing and re-adding the contact

Problem: App becomes unresponsive or crashes.

Solutions:

  1. Force close the app: Swipe up from bottom (or double-click home), swipe up on Cathexis
  2. Restart your device
  3. Check for updates: App Store → Updates
  4. Reinstall the app (your data will be preserved in iOS backup)
  5. Contact support if issue persists

Problem: Journal entries or attack logs not saving.

Solutions:

  1. Ensure device has available storage: Settings → General → iPhone Storage
  2. Check you tapped "Save" button after editing
  3. Verify app has not been force-closed before save completed
  4. Contact support with details

Tips & Best Practices

During a Panic Attack
  1. Open SOS Mode immediately - Don't wait
  2. Follow the breathing guide - Even if it feels difficult
  3. Focus on grounding - Use the 5-4-3-2-1 technique
  4. Read Truth Cards - Remember: this feeling is temporary
  5. Log the attack afterward - Help identify patterns
Building Your Routine
  1. Practice breathing daily - When calm, so it's familiar during crisis
  2. Personalize Truth Cards - Add affirmations that resonate with you
  3. Journal regularly - Track mood even on good days
  4. Review logs monthly - Identify triggers and progress with your therapist

System Requirements

iOS
  • Minimum: iOS 12.0 or later
  • Recommended: iOS 15.0 or later
  • Devices: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
Storage
  • Required: 100 MB
  • Recommended: 200 MB for journal entries and logs
Connectivity
  • Required: None! Works 100% offline
  • Optional: Internet for cloud sync (future feature)

Additional Resources

Learn More About Panic Attacks

About Cathexis

Cathexis is developed with care by mental health advocates who understand the challenges of panic and anxiety. Our mission is to provide immediate, accessible, and private support when you need it most.

  • App Name: Cathexis
  • Version: 1.0.0
  • Category: Health & Fitness
  • Developer: Ketra Labs
  • Contact: support@ketralabs.com

Still Need Help?

We're here for you. Email us at support@ketralabs.com

Include: Your question or issue, Device and iOS version, App version (Settings → About), Screenshots if helpful

Response time: Typically within 24-48 hours

Last Updated: January 8, 2026 • Cathexis v1.0.0