Is anxiety (GAD, panic attacks) a lifelong chronic disorder — or acute, situational, episodic?
Typically, anxiety disorders are chronic. Often, there is a waxing and waning course. The severity of the anxiety condition(s) depends upon several factors including adequate treatment, absence of precipitating factors, etc. On occasion, anxiety disorders may be acute and completely resolve after a period of time. This is more likely if there is situational component (e.g. recreational use of a substance which triggers anxiety symptoms, medication untoward effect that causes anxiety symptoms, and/or anxiety due to a medical condition which is treated).