How Long Will I Need to Be in Therapy for Anxiety?

“Am I going to have this for the rest of my life?” 

“When will I get better?” 

“I do not want to deal with this anymore?”

If you have been living with anxiety for some time, these are some of the most common questions that may haunt you. It is normal to feel this way, as it may all seem a little out of our control sometimes. 

Anxiety is one of the most common conditions in the world. Research indicates that almost 19% of the entire global population suffers from generalised anxiety disorder - and this also means a huge variability in the way the disorder affects people. As it is such a common condition, a lot of treatment options exist - and these treatment options are very effective and well thought out. 

How long does the treatment for anxiety last?

There is no fixed answer to this question because there is no standard duration for the treatment. Every person is different, and the way in which anxiety affects them also varies. For instance, some people with anxiety may experience difficulty in decision-making, whereas others may not. Hence, the duration of their symptoms will also differ significantly. Generally, people start feeling better within two to six weeks. The duration is largely dependent on factors such as: 

The severity of your anxiety

Some people may only experience mild anxiety like nervousness and sweating, and they are able to function normally in their day-to-day lives. On the other hand, there are people who have a lot of difficulties in their professional and personal life because of the anxiety they face. Depending on how much the condition affects you, your therapist and/or psychiatrist will work with you to come up with a treatment plan. If you have severe symptoms, the treatment may take a while. Generally, severe concerns may take upwards of 6 weeks to recover. 

The duration of your anxiety

This refers to how long you have been experiencing the symptoms. This is important for determining treatment outcomes because the duration of your symptoms may have affected how you perceive the world, your coping mechanisms, and so on. 

We know that living with anxiety is not a pleasant experience, but it is important to show yourself some compassion and work through your anxiety with patience. 

Does anxiety ever really go away? 

Experiencing some anxiety is completely normal, even healthy to some extent. We all experience anxiety at some point, and it helps by directing energy towards something specific, and by motivating people to take action. Since it is such a crucial aspect of the human experience, it is not something that goes away once and for all. 

An anxiety disorder is when this anxiety makes it difficult for you to function in your day-to-day life. It is characterised by feelings of prolonged worrying, where you are unable to stop these anxious thoughts and things feel out of control. The symptoms of anxiety can be treated with proper support. 

How is anxiety treated?

Anxiety can be treated like any other medical condition like the common cold or flu. The treatment itself largely depends on the severity of your condition and your personal choice. Treatment for anxiety is done primarily through:

Therapy: Your therapist can help you get to the bottom of what are the causes of your anxiety. Over time, your therapist will teach you how to deal with anxious thoughts on your own, without any external intervention. They will also help find out what your triggers are and help you overcome them. Triggers are events or situations that lead to anxiety. Every trained therapist will have a ton of tools in their arsenal to deal with all kinds of anxiety, and ways to help you live to your full potential. 

Medication: Medication can be another highly effective way of treating anxiety. There are many different medicines that have been proven to work for anxiety disorders. You and your doctor will work together to find the medication that works best for you. One important thing to note is that only a trained and qualified psychiatrist can prescribe medicines. 

However, the best possible treatment for anxiety is a combination of therapy and medication. Both therapy and medication work in tandem - medicines reduce the severity of the symptoms so that you can get to an optimum level of functioning in your day-to-day life. The medication works by reducing common anxiety symptoms such as restlessness and increased heart rate. Simultaneously, you will be learning how to manage anxiety with the help of therapy. 

If you feel like you need help, don't hesitate to get in touch with a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Help is available.