How many people improve substantially with and without treatment?

This graph shows response rates, i.e. the proportion of patients whose symptoms drop by at least half. The blue line shows response with a first evidence-based treatment; the teal line shows response without treatment, based on time alone. The gap between the lines is how much treatment adds.

With a first treatment
Without treatment (time alone)
Source: Cuijpers et al. (2024). Absolute and relative outcomes of psychotherapies for eight mental disorders. World Psychiatry, 23, 267–275 (Table 2, main analysis). Response = at least 50% symptom reduction. Control conditions were waitlist, care-as-usual, or pill placebo.