Can You Cure Anxiety? The Longevity of Anxiety Across the Lifespan.

The Playful Psychologist

In this weeks episode of The Playful Psychologist, I explore anxiety and how it presents across the lifespan, by asking the popular question, can anxiety be cured?
This is a question I get asked about a lot. And the short answer for me, is No. Keep in mind that ‘cured’ implies that it will never return, and I don’t believe a person who experiences anxiety in its true form will ever be absolutely free from anxiety. Unfortunately, I think the term ‘I am so anxious’ or ‘my anxiety is through the roof’ has clouded our understanding of just how debilitating anxiety can actually be. And again these frivolous statements can make it seem as though anxiety is nothing to worry about. However, those who are diagnosed with an anxiety-related disorder will let you know that there are absolutely ways to manage anxiety, however it never fully disappears. It comes and goes in waves depending on our environment and life circumstances. What I do think however, is that someone who has anxiety can learn to be better equipped with strategies that work for them and help manage anxiety, so that when it arises in the future, they are aware of what they have to do, thus reducing the impact that anxiety has on them in that situation.
This episode will explore:

• A quick review of anxiety disorders
• How age impacts the presentation of anxiety
• The impact of early intervention for anxiety disorders
• Long term management of anxiety disorders

To read more about anxiety disorders, check out my website where I have several blog posts on this topic, as well as my online store for further resources: www.theplayfulpsychologist.com