At their core the Optimism applications are mood charts to help with managing mental health. They are used as self-help or self-improvement tools, for depression and bipolar disorder, and other illnesses.
The core purpose of the apps is to help you discover what causes your mood swings, to find the warning signs of a decline in health, and learn strategies, often specific to you, that help you to remain well.
The Optimism apps help you to be proactive. A continual feedback loop, in the form of charts and reports, improves your understanding of your mental health and the things that are helping or hindering you.
Who are they suited to?
Mood charts have long been recommended by psychiatrists and therapists, for their clients to use in monitoring their mental health. Traditionally they have been used by people with a mood disorder, like depression and bipolar disorder.
Our experience is that Optimism is used much more widely. The second most common use is for self-help or self improvement. Apart from depression and bipolar disorder, they are also used for anxiety, ADHD, and even physical illnesses.
Why would I use Optimism to track my mental health?
In a nutshell, the purpose of tracking your mood is to learn more about yourself and achieve better health.
By using the Optimism apps you can monitor the patterns in your life, to identify the negative influences (or "triggers") that impact on your health, and the early warning signs that your health is deteriorating.
Optimism can help you find the small things, as well as the big, that help you to stay well. It can show you the impact of positive strategies that you adopt on your well-being.
It helps you to plan for better health. By bringing together your knowledge of your triggers, early warning signs and symptoms, and wellness strategies you can develop a plan for remaining well. That is the key. The purpose of the software is to plan for wellness, not just keep a record of illness.
Rather than be a passive recipient of treatment, or just seek treatment in reaction to a new episode, Optimism can help you to have more involvement in your health and a greater sense of control. In general people achieve better health outcomes when they educate themselves and are proactive with their health.
Optimism is a health professional's dream. By tracking your mental health you can provide your health professional with a precise, detailed history. It removes the problem of memory recall and gives an accurate picture of what has been happening. It gets to the bottom of what is or isn't working, which helps them to give more relevant, appropriate advice and treatment.
Every person's illness is different. "One Size Fits One". For many people treatment is difficult, a slow process, or not entirely successful. Optimism is designed to help increase your chance of success.
What are the assumptions underpinning the applications?
The term depression is a catch-all phrase for a broad spectrum of mood disorders. No two people suffering from depression will experience the same symptoms and they will respond to treatments differently. It is also a catch-all phrase that describes different levels of severity in illness, and biological as well as non-biological disorders. This complicates treatment enormously.
In a similar way, the mania experienced by people with bipolar disorder is variable in terms of the symptoms produced, and treatments must be tailored to the individual.
Medical and psychological interventions often form the backbone of treatments for people with mood disorders or other psychological problems. The Optimism apps are not intended as a replacement for such interventions. They are integrative tools, best used in conjunction with existing treatments.
A person who is proactive about their health will generally achieve a better outcome. Optimism is designed to this end; to help and motivate the person to be proactive. By being involved in their own treatment a person can learn more about themselves and find the small and big things that help them to recover and stay well.
The Optimism apps are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The advice of a qualified health professional should be sought for any questions regarding a medical condition.
How long have the applications been in development?
Development of the Windows and Mac software commenced in early 2007, with the first release in January 2008. The Optimism Online web app was released in October 2009, and the iPhone/iPod data capture app in March 2010.
All of the applications have been in continual development since release. The software has been updated once a month on average since it was first released.
Are the apps used by many people?
Yes, they are! We have sold the apps to individuals and mental health professionals in over 50 countries.
More importantly, we receive regular feedback that the applications are helpful and contribute to better mental health. A fraction of the positive feedback that we've received is displayed on the home page.
How long does it take to fill in data each day?
Once you have customized the application to suit your personal circumstances, it should only take you a couple of minutes each day. There is a "fill from previous" button to enter data for the current day if little has changed.
You will want to spend more time analyzing your records to spot patterns in your health, however this would be periodically rather than daily.
How can I keep up with future improvements and new releases?
The best way is the join our newsletter circulation list, by entering your name and email address in the form at the bottom of this page. We send the newsletter when we have a major announcement relating to the applications, which is generally every one to two months.
You can be removed from the circulation list at any time, by clicking on the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of all newsletters.
Windows and Mac Software Apps
How does the desktop software differ from the online version?
The online and desktop versions are functionally the same, and we are developing them to be very similar going forward.
There is an advantage with the web application in that you can access it from any computer whereas with the desktop version you are restricted to one computer or otherwise need to synchronize between computers (e.g. desktop and laptop).
If you decide to use the iPhone/iPod app then there is an extra step for synching the iPhone to the software because the data needs to be downloaded from the online database. Nothing extra needs to be done for the web app.
What limitations are there in the trial version?
There are no limitations apart from the 14-day time period.
After 14 days you will still be able to access your account without a serial code, but you won't be able to add additional records until you purchase a license.
Optimism Online App
How does the online version differ from the desktop software?
The web and desktop versions are functionally the same, and we are developing them to be very similar going forward.
There is an advantage with the web application in that you can access it from any computer whereas with the desktop version you are restricted to one computer or otherwise need to synchronize between computers (e.g. desktop and laptop).
If you decide to use the iPhone/iPod app then there is an extra step for synching the iPhone to the software because the data needs to be downloaded from the online database. Nothing extra needs to be done for the web app.
Is it a once-only or continuing payment to purchase a license?
A license for Optimism Online requires a once-only payment. All future improvements are free.
What limitations are there in the trial version?
There are no limitations apart from the 14-day time period.
After 14 days you will still be able to access your account without a serial code, but you won't be able to add additional records until you purchase a license.
iPhone/iPod App
Will the iPhone app work with the desktop software?
Yes it will.
By using the online sync function in the software to upload to the online database, the database will then recognize that you have a license, and will reference this when you use the iPhone/iPod app.
Do I need to buy a license for the Optimism Online web app?
No. The iPhone app works with the software and web app, and you only need a license for one of them. Of course you may want to buy licenses for both, to give you maximum flexibility with entering data.
Why isn't my serial code working online?
If you have purchased a license for the software but not the online app, then you won't have access to the web app beyond the 14 day trial period. With the software license you will always be able to sync between the desktop app and iPhone via the online database.
When you register you will generate a username and password. These can then be used in the software to sync to the online database, which also notifies the database that you have a valid serial for the software. Then you can use the iPhone app without limitation.
I've bought a license for the software. What do I do next?
These are the steps for getting up and running:
Download and install the latest copy of the software. You can do this directly or by using the update function in the software. The latest version is 3.4.0, which you can check in the "About" window in the software.
Synchronize your data in the desktop app to the online database. There is a Sync toolbar button to the left of the Help button. Follow the instructions to upload your data. This process will also record in the database that you a have a paid license for the software.
You are now ready to use the iPhone / iPod app. Download it from the iTunes store and use the username and password that you created above to start using it.
Your entries from the iPhone or iPod are stored online. Whenever you use the desktop software you will prompted to sync if your most recent records are in the online database or when you make changes and close the desktop software.
I've bought a license for the web app? What do I do next?
There is nothing more to do. Your entries in the iPhone/iPod app are entered into the same database that supports the web app, so synchronizing is not required.
Is there a user guide for the iPhone app?
Yes, there is a user guide formatted for the iPhone.
What are your current development plans?
In the next update we are planning the following improvements:
the ability to scroll between dates on each data input screen
the date button will reveal the date currently being viewed as the default
change the wheel picker for the Stay Well Strategies, Triggers and Symptoms, so that it defaults to the current entry for each field, not the last number chosen on the picker.
Purchase
How do I receive the software after purchase
The Windows and Mac products are available by download only. If you already have a trial version then there is nothing else to download. By entering your serial code the 14-day trial restriction will be removed and the software will be fully licensed.
When will I get my serial code?
Your serial code will be emailed to you as soon as your purchase has been completed.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We use PayPal for payment processing. PayPal accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover credit cards. You do not need to have a PayPal account to pay by credit card. If you do have a PayPal account then you can also pay by balance transfer or eCheque.
Is my credit card information secure?
Yes. PayPal uses industry-standard SSL secure connections to ensure that third parties cannot access or record your transaction. For detailed information visit PayPal's Security Center. Optimism Apps does not have access to buyers' financial information, either during or after the transaction taking place.
What is your upgrade policy?
All software and web app upgrades are free. That way all users can enjoy the latest improvements.
Do you provide support?
We provide free installation and troubleshooting support, however we do not provide medical advice. You can contact us using the form on our contact page or by direct email from within the Windows and Mac applications.
Is there money back guarantee?
We offer an unconditional 30-day money back guarantee on all products. If for any reason you decide that the product is not for you, we will refund the full purchase price.
Can I get a practice license or volume discount?
Yes, we offer discounts for multiple licenses. Please contact James Bishop with your request.
Is there a Demo version that I can test before buying?
Yes, there is. For the web app you need to register for a trial. With the Windows and Mac versions you can download a trial from the Download page. There are no limitations during the trial period, but after 14 days you will not be able to add new records.
Does the software come on CD or via download?
The Windows and Mac programs are available by download only. If you lose your copy for any reason you can download the latest version from the Download page and re-enter your serial code.
Can I run software products on more than one computer?
The software and web app are licensed on a per person, not per computer basis. With the Windows and Mac products a person can use their own copy of the software on multiple computers, but two people can't use the same license. The database is the same in the Windows and Mac versions, so records can be synchronized between the two operating systems.
Do all products work with the free iPhone app?
Yes, the Windows, Mac and web apps all work with the iPhone app. There is an extra step for synching with the software, because the data needs to be downloaded from the online database. Nothing extra needs to be done for the web app because the iPhone connects to the same database.
Support
I've lost my serial code
Please contact us and we will re-send the code to you.
I've purchased a license but haven't received a serial code
Please check to see if the email has been filtered as spam. Filtering can be especially problematic if you have a Hotmail address. If you can't find the email then please contact us.
My serial code does not work
If you have just purchased a license then the first thing to check is that you're entering the serial code into the correct application. The serial code type is different for the online and desktop applications.
The license that you purchased is shown on the email that you received with the serial code. If you have accidentally purchased for the wrong application then please contact us and we will reissue your serial code.
The next thing to check is that you are entering the serial code correctly. It is easiest to copy-paste the code into the registration field.
If you are still experiencing problems please contact us for assistance.
My serial code no longer works
We are slowly replacing serial codes generated prior to March 2009. If you are reinstalling the software and purchased your license prior to March 2009, then this may be the reason for the code not validating.
Please contact us to check if this is the case and to receive a replacement code.
I'm moving to a new computer. How can I keep my desktop software database?
When you move computers you only need to copy the database file, named "optimism.rsd".
On the Mac the database is located in /user/library/application support /Optimism/. In Windows it is located in c:/Documents and Settings/your username/Application Data/Optimism/.
In both cases you need to overwrite the corresponding file on your new computer after installing the software.
An easy way to move your database is to use the online sync function in the software. You can do this by uploading your data from your old computer and then downloading your data to your new computer.
I've received an error message. What should I do?
If you receive an error then we would like to know about it. In some cases it may be caused by a bug; in other cases another software program or your system setup could be causing a problem.
Please send us a screenshot of the error message if possible, a description of how the error occurred, and details of your computer (model, operating system, RAM).
Contact Us
Please contact us regarding any difficulties with the apps, feedback or suggestions for improvements. Use our contact form for standard internet browsers or mobile browsers, or send an email to us directly using the "Contact Developer" link in the desktop software.
