It really depends, but they really did get better for me. I think if you continually and persistently invest in your needs, eventually you make progress. Learning to have a regular sleep schedule, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and developing a career that gives you enough financial security that you have at least more than your basic needs - securing these things can allow you to start to work on higher order problems. It took me decades to get to that point, and I basically still struggle with the fundamentals - but it really can get better. I often look back at my younger self who desperately wondered if it was worth being alive then for a future that may or may not be worth living, and while I'm not sure I would choose the suffering again and I sympathize with the pain I experienced, I do affirm my life today and it is practically heaven compared to how I lived before.

Yes they do. Not sure if 48 counts as older than you, but I’ve definitely seen economic cycles and peace/war cycles come and go. This too shall pass.