NHS Talking Therapy Appears to Be Ineffective for Young Adults

A specific type of psychotherapy offered by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) seems to benefit teenagers and young adults with anxiety and depression more than it does for older individuals.

Clinical studies focusing on the effects of psychotherapy on prevalent conditions like anxiety and depression have primarily concentrated on working-age adults; depression often manifests in adolescence or early adulthood, according to Argyris Stringaris from University College London.

In 2008, NHS England initiated a program designed to enhance access to scientifically informed self-help resources and psychotherapy. Currently referred to as NHS talk therapy for anxiety and depression, this initiative has generated a substantial database of anonymous user information, detailing treatments and outcomes.

Stringaris and his colleagues harnessed this data to evaluate the results from over 1.5 million individuals who accessed the therapy between 2015 and 2019. More than 1.2 million participants were aged between 25 and 65, leaving the younger cohort aged 16 to 24.

The researchers assessed changes in symptom severity pre- and post-treatment by utilizing two standard self-assessment tools: a patient health questionnaire-9 and a seven-item general anxiety disorder scale.

The results indicated that these scores exhibited approximately 35% improvement in individuals aged 16 to 24, compared to around 41% for those aged 25 to 65. Young people were roughly 20-25% less likely to be classified as recovered or to achieve significant improvements.

This could potentially result in thousands of young individuals recovering each year if they responded to treatment as effectively as their older counterparts, Stringaris remarks. “It is crucial to consider how mental health services might adapt to provide better care pathways for younger populations.”

Various factors could contribute to these discrepancies, including generational differences influenced by social media and online dating. Data further suggest that younger clients tend to miss scheduled appointments without prior notification, which may lead to poorer outcomes.

The study highlights the imbalances that warrant further exploration, says David Clark from Oxford University. “Research often reveals numerous insights that can be addressed. This paper marks the beginning of what could be a fruitful path ahead.”

Despite this, it remains essential to acknowledge the “gradual benefits” of the therapy. This relates to how clients fare compared to those who do not undergo treatment, he adds. “You start getting [younger] patients who are trying to establish themselves in life and pursue employment, indicating they may not have worse outcomes than older individuals,” Clark says.

Adrian Whittington from NHS England explains that talk therapy assists over a million individuals annually, most receiving treatment within six weeks. “We encourage them to take proactive steps towards care,” he states.