From sickness to an app - how Dyfna was born

Personal story by the founder of Dyfna.

I’ve always known I was different from most of my colleagues. Sadly, I often thought I was just stupid. When I was young, I struggled to read books. Even when I forced myself to read, I couldn’t remember what was written on the previous page. Still, I was able to get a good education and a good profession. I would thank my parents for that. Especially my mother, because she never judged me for my struggles, she was always there for me, and never pushed me to do things I was not able to do.

Looking back, I lived most of my life without real control over my thoughts. I was constantly anxious and stressed, but there was a silver lining - I was always driven to do more and be better.

In my 20s, my condition improved, though I remained unaware of my behavioral patterns. When I faced problems in my personal life, I would dive into work. When work became challenging, I’d focus on my personal life. This coping mechanism kept my life balanced until both areas deteriorated simultaneously.

I ended up taking a year off. I was lucky I could afford it. Beyond my poor mental state, I contracted an Enterovirus infection. After enduring a month of high fever and pain, followed by several months of recovery, I reached a turning point. This experience led me to start taking better care of both my physical and mental health. It was during this period that the initial idea for Dyfna was born.

My biggest mistake was believing I couldn’t possibly have depression or other mental health issues. The initial concept for Dyfna was to create an app that would raise awareness about mental health through quick surveys, complementing my work with Responsly, a survey platform I had founded.

However, I wasn’t satisfied with the concept’s results. While conducting intensive research on mental health issues and treatment methods, I learned more about myself. This journey eventually led me to realize I had ADHD. The diagnosis was a game-changer - not because of medication, but because it transformed how I understood my behavior. Today, I’m more aware of my actions and better at managing them.

Five years after first conceptualizing Dyfna, I finally understood that there are many excellent methods that simply need better implementation. Dyfna incorporates proven approaches like mood tracking, journaling, and habit tracking, but reimagines them with innovative design and thoughtful interconnections that make them more effective and accessible to everyone. The app combines these time-tested tools with modern technology to create a seamless experience that helps you take control of your wellbeing.

Thank you for reading my story. I hope you find it meaningful and that Dyfna can help you on your own journey.

– Karol Koronowicz