Does anxiety ever get better
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Does Anxiety Ever Get Better?
Anxiety disorders are prevalent and can significantly impact daily functioning. However, research indicates that with appropriate treatment, many individuals can experience substantial improvements in their anxiety symptoms and overall functioning.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety
Effectiveness of CBT in Older Adults
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders, including in older adults. A study examining the outcomes of group-administered CBT for older adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) found that approximately half of the patients achieved significant improvement immediately after treatment, and two-thirds maintained these improvements at a 6-month follow-up. Factors that contributed to better outcomes included adherence to homework assignments, higher initial severity of GAD, and the presence of a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis .
Comparison with Supportive Counseling
Another study compared the effectiveness of CBT with supportive counseling (SC) in older adults with anxiety disorders. Both treatments led to improvements in anxiety symptoms, but CBT was found to be more effective in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms over the long term. The CBT group maintained their improvements better than the SC group at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups .
Long-Term Functioning After Anxiety Remission
Trajectories of Functioning
Research on the long-term functioning of individuals who have remitted from anxiety disorders reveals that while symptom remission is associated with improvements in functioning, some impairments may persist. A study using data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA) found that individuals with remitting anxiety disorders showed moderate improvements in social functioning and cognition over a 2-year period. However, occupational functioning did not improve as significantly. Factors such as severe anxiety disorders, co-morbid depressive disorders, and maladaptive personality traits were associated with worse functioning outcomes .
Predictors of Better Outcomes
The same study identified several predictors of better functioning after anxiety remission. These included less severe anxiety at baseline, absence of co-morbid depressive disorders, and fewer maladaptive personality traits. Additionally, individuals who received psychological treatments showed better improvements in functioning .
Conclusion
In summary, anxiety can indeed get better with appropriate treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, particularly, has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms and improving overall functioning, especially in older adults. While some individuals may continue to experience functional impairments even after symptom remission, many can achieve significant improvements, particularly with consistent treatment and addressing co-morbid conditions.
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