Positive life change and recovery from depression and anxiety. A three-stage longitudinal study of primary care attenders

Abstract

Background: The objective was to examine the relationship between positive life change (PLC) and recovery from depression and anxiety. Following Brown et al (1988, 1992), we hypothesised: (a) that an excess of PLC would be found in the 3-month period before recovery compared with base rates ('excess hypothesis') and (b) that fresh-start and anchoring subtypes of PLC would trigger recovery from depression and anxiety respectively ('specificity hypothesis').

Method: One hundred and seventy primary care patients with a depressive and/or anxiety disorder, selected from 1994 consecutive attenders, were assessed at baseline and at 1-year and 3.5-year follow-ups on life change (LEDS) and psychopathology (PSE and Course Interview).

Results: Our results appeared to confirm the excess hypothesis regarding depression and anxiety (twofold excess was found prior to recovery), but not regarding mixed anxiety/depression. They did not support the specificity hypothesis.

Conclusions: PLC facilitates recovery but is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for remission. Difficulty reduction is the most important recovery-enhancing factor.