Will Anxiety Ever Go Away?

Normal Anxiety vs. Anxiety Disorders

It's important to distinguish between normal, everyday anxiety (e.g., feeling nervous before a presentation or during a stressful event), and anxiety disorders. Normal anxiety tends to be time-limited and related to specific stressors. Anxiety disorders, on the other hand, are characterized by persistent and excessive worry and fear that can interfere with daily life. Everyday anxiety can be elevated once the stressful event has occurred.  Anxiety disorders on the other hand, often require longer term treatment and management.

                                                                                                                           The Type of Anxiety

Different types of anxiety disorders have varying prognoses. For example, specific phobias, social anxiety, and sometimes generalized anxiety disorders can improve considerably (or even entirely) with helpful treatment (eg. therapy and developing coping strategies). On the other hand, some people may have chronic or recurring anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or PTSD, that may require ongoing management.

Individual Factors

Each person's experience with anxiety is unique. Some individuals may have a predisposition to anxiety due to genetics, with anxiety being handed down from parent to child. Other people may develop anxiety as a response to specific life events or circumstances. Some people may have one or two episodes of anxiety in their lifetime, while others may have recurrent or chronic anxiety. An individual’s ability to develop their personal resilience and coping strategies will also play a role in whether anxiety will go away.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management can have a significant impact on anxiety. Developing healthy coping mechanisms and making lifestyle changes can help reduce anxiety symptoms and prevent them from worsening.  Overall lifestyle choices will greatly impact a person’s mental health generally and can significantly reduce of anxiety symptoms.

Support System

Having a strong support system, including friends, family, support groups and professional supports can be instrumental in managing anxiety. Seeking help and talking about your experiences with trusted individuals can make a difference.  A good support system will be reassuring, patient, and encourage you to practice self-care.

Awareness and Self-Care

Increasing your awareness about your anxiety triggers and practicing self-care strategies can help you manage anxiety more effectively. Mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and stress-reduction practices can be valuable tools also.

Treatment:

There are various treatment options when it comes to anxiety.  Research has shown that psychotherapy can greatly improve anxiety.  Different modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) and various group therapies etc. are examples of evidence-based psychotherapy options with proven positive results.  Exploring the underlying cause of anxiety can also be beneficial in reducing its hold. Additionally, as well as lifestyle choices, medication such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication may be suggested.  Many people experience significant improvement and relief from anxiety with the right treatment but, as mentioned previously, everyone’s experience is different.  There’s not a “one size fits all” approach.  Be sure to ask for professional advice about available options and then choose what’s right for you.

                                                                                                                                                   Long Term Management

For some individuals, anxiety may not completely go away, but it can be effectively managed so that it doesn't interfere significantly with quality of life. Long-term management may involve ongoing therapy sessions, medication, or lifestyle adjustments. Learning effective coping strategies like mindfulness, relaxation techniques and stress management can help reduce symptoms when they reoccur, and these will also help to improve overall wellbeing.  The goal may not always be to make anxiety "go away" entirely but to reduce its impact on daily functioning and overall quality of life.