Continuing with therapy requires commitment, but with consistency, mental health challenges may begin to feel more manageable. Once the immediate problems subside, some people choose to leave therapy, believing it has served its purpose. The bigger picture may tell a different story. Could discontinuing therapy midway leave underlying problems unresolved and heighten the chances of symptoms returning?
A mental health professional walked us through one of the possible consequences of leaving therapy midway. Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist and executive director at Cadabam, offered insights into anxiety relapse and explained why quitting therapy prematurely may heighten the risk of symptoms returning, even after they have initially improved. First, the expert brought to notice a common misconception in mental healthcare: when symptoms improve after weeks or months and life begins to feel more manageable, people may assume that treatment can also stop. But does symptom improvement alone qualify as successful therapy? The psychologist clarified that it does not and added, “Symptom improvement is only one phase of recovery. The later stages of treatment focus on identifying triggers, strengthening coping strategies, addressing underlying psychological patterns, and reducing the likelihood of future relapse. So, what happens when you leave therapy midway, and what are the possible risks? Since the underlying problems may remain unresolved, Neha warned that people may return to the same environments, stressors, and behavioural patterns without having developed sufficient resilience to manage them effectively. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
