Outlook
Short-term prognosis for significant improvement is good, but improvement (through CBT or medication) may take 2-3 months to emerge.
Long-term prognosis is less positive- follow up studies suggest that at least 50% of cases are still experiencing some degree of anxiety 12 months after onset, despite treatment. (See Durham et al. Long term outcome of CBT trials. Health Technology Assessment (9) 2005)
Poor prognostic factors include:
a) Co-morbid Depression
b) Co-morbid Substance Misuse
c) Co-morbid Personality Disorder