Medical Disclaimer

Last Updated: November 10, 2025

1. Nature of Service

1.1 What Unpanic Is

Unpanic is a digital wellness tool designed to help individuals manage C-PTSD symptoms through:

• Trigger tracking and pattern recognition
• Guided grounding exercises (breathing, sensory techniques)
• Daily mood check-ins for self-awareness
• AI-powered conversational support
• Educational resources about trauma and coping strategies

1.2 What Unpanic Is NOT

Unpanic does NOT provide:

• Medical diagnosis: We cannot diagnose C-PTSD, PTSD, or any mental health condition
• Psychotherapy: Our AI chatbot is not a licensed therapist or counselor
• Psychiatric treatment: We do not prescribe medication or provide medical treatment
• Emergency services: We are not a crisis hotline or emergency response system
• Professional medical advice: Information in the app is educational, not medical advice

2. No Doctor-Patient Relationship

Use of Unpanic does NOT create a doctor-patient, therapist-client, or any professional healthcare relationship.

• Our AI chatbot is a supportive tool, not a licensed mental health professional
• Conversations with the chatbot are not confidential therapy sessions
• We do not conduct psychological assessments or evaluations
• We cannot provide personalized medical advice for your specific situation

3. Seek Professional Care

3.1 Always Consult Qualified Professionals

You should consult with a licensed healthcare provider for:

• Diagnosis: Only qualified professionals can diagnose mental health conditions
• Treatment plans: Personalized treatment requires professional assessment
• Medication management: Never start, stop, or change medications without medical supervision
• Therapy: Evidence-based therapies (EMDR, CBT, DBT) should be delivered by licensed therapists
• Crisis intervention: Immediate safety concerns require professional crisis services

3.2 Unpanic as a Supplement, Not Replacement

Unpanic can be a helpful supplement to professional care, but never a replacement for:

• Regular therapy or counseling sessions
• Psychiatric medication and monitoring
• Inpatient or outpatient mental health programs
• Support groups and peer counseling
• Medical treatment for co-occurring physical health conditions

4. Limitations & Risks

4.1 AI Chatbot Limitations

Our AI chatbot is powered by large language models (OpenAI/Anthropic) with trauma-informed prompting. However:

• Not infallible: AI may occasionally provide inaccurate, incomplete, or unhelpful responses
• No clinical judgment: The chatbot cannot assess risk, severity, or urgency like a human clinician
• Pattern recognition, not understanding: AI processes text patterns; it doesn't truly "understand" your experience
• Generic guidance: Responses are based on general principles, not your unique situation
• No crisis detection: The chatbot cannot reliably detect or respond to mental health emergencies

4.2 Self-Tracking Limitations

• Subjective data: Trigger logs and mood ratings are self-reported and may not be objectively accurate
• Pattern misinterpretation: Correlation doesn't equal causation; analytics may suggest patterns that aren't meaningful
• Incomplete picture: The app only captures what you choose to log, not your full experience

4.3 Grounding Exercise Limitations

• Individual variation: Techniques that work for some may not work for you
• Not a cure: Grounding exercises manage symptoms but don't treat underlying trauma
• Medical conditions: Some breathing exercises may not be suitable for people with respiratory conditions (consult your doctor)

5. Potential Risks

5.1 Triggering Content

Despite our trauma-informed design, using Unpanic may involve:

• Re-experiencing trauma: Logging triggers or discussing trauma with the chatbot may bring up difficult memories
• Emotional distress: Reviewing mood trends or trigger patterns may be emotionally challenging
• Increased awareness of symptoms: Tracking may make you more aware of difficulties, which can feel overwhelming

If you feel overwhelmed, please reach out to your therapist or support system immediately.

5.2 Over-Reliance

• App as crutch: Don't let the app replace human connection, professional care, or real-world coping strategies
• Isolation risk: Using the app shouldn't substitute for social support or therapy
• Avoidance: Don't use the app to avoid seeking necessary professional help

5.3 Technical Failures

• Service outages: Firebase, cloud services, or your internet connection may fail during a crisis
• Data loss: Despite encryption and backups, technical issues may result in data loss
• Offline limitations: Some features (AI chatbot, sync) require internet connectivity

6. Not FDA Approved

Unpanic is not a medical device and has not been evaluated or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), or other regulatory bodies.

• We make no claims about preventing, diagnosing, treating, or curing any disease or condition
• The app is for informational and self-management purposes only
• We do not claim to meet standards for medical devices or clinical software

7. Educational Content Disclaimer

Educational content in Unpanic (blog posts, in-app tips, chatbot responses) is:

• General information only: Not tailored to your specific medical situation
• Not peer-reviewed: Content is based on reputable sources but not subjected to formal peer review
• May become outdated: Mental health research evolves; information may not reflect the latest findings
• No endorsement: Mention of specific therapies, techniques, or resources doesn't constitute endorsement

8. Third-Party Links & Resources

Unpanic may link to external websites or resources (crisis hotlines, support organizations, educational materials). We:

• Do not control or endorse third-party content
• Are not responsible for the accuracy, reliability, or availability of external resources
• Make no warranties about third-party services
• Recommend verifying any information with qualified professionals

9. User Responsibility

9.1 Your Role in Your Care

By using Unpanic, you acknowledge that:

• You are responsible for your health decisions: The app provides tools, but you decide how to use them
• You will seek professional help when needed: Don't delay care due to app use
• You understand the limitations: The app is a wellness tool, not medical treatment
• You accept the risks: Use of the app carries risks outlined in this disclaimer

9.2 When to Seek Immediate Help

Stop using the app and seek immediate professional help if you experience:

• Suicidal thoughts or plans
• Thoughts of harming yourself or others
• Severe dissociation or inability to care for yourself
• Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions)
• Substance abuse or overdose
• Severe panic attacks that don't respond to grounding techniques
• Worsening of symptoms despite app use

10. International Users

Unpanic is available globally, but:

• Regulatory standards vary: Mental health regulations differ by country
• Crisis resources vary: Emergency hotline numbers and mental health systems differ by region
• Cultural context matters: Some content may not be culturally appropriate for all users
• Language limitations: AI chatbot may not understand nuances in non-English languages

Always consult local mental health professionals and use local crisis resources appropriate to your region.

11. Children & Adolescents

Unpanic is designed for adults 18+ and is not intended for minors. If you are under 18:

• Do not use the app without parental/guardian consent and supervision
• Speak with your parent/guardian, school counselor, or pediatrician about age-appropriate mental health resources
• Understand that C-PTSD management for minors requires specialized professional care

12. Privacy & Confidentiality Limits

While we protect your privacy (see our Privacy Policy), please understand:

• Not HIPAA-covered: We are not a healthcare provider, so HIPAA protections don't apply
• No therapist confidentiality: Communications with the AI chatbot are not protected by therapist-client privilege
• Legal obligations: We may disclose information if required by law (child abuse, imminent harm, court orders)
• Data breaches: Despite security measures, no system is 100% secure

13. No Guarantees or Warranties

We make no guarantees about outcomes from using Unpanic, including but not limited to:

• Symptom reduction or improvement
• Prevention of flashbacks, triggers, or panic attacks
• Improved mood or quality of life
• Successful coping with trauma
• Specific results from any feature or exercise

Results vary widely by individual. Your experience may differ from others.

14. Updates to This Disclaimer

We may update this Medical Disclaimer as our Service evolves or in response to new research or regulations. Material changes will be communicated via:

• In-app notification
• Email (if provided)
• Updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this page

15. Contact for Medical Questions

For questions about this disclaimer or medical concerns related to app use:

• General support: support@unpanic.app
• Medical/clinical questions: clinical@unpanic.app
• Safety concerns: safety@unpanic.app

Please note: We cannot provide medical advice via email. For personalized medical guidance, consult a licensed healthcare provider.