4. You’re experiencing panic attacks over and over again
Aaron Fisher thinks that a single panic attack doesn’t translate to an anxiety disorder. He emphasizes that panic attacks are actually a normal response to fear. “A lot of people have panic attacks, way more people than have panic disorder,” says Fisher.
“It’s important to remember what a panic attack is a full application of your fight-or-flight response. That is an evolutionarily adaptive function.” Some people can experience panic attacks with virtually no reason. Their heart rate accelerates leaving behind an unexpected fear.
Psychologists agree that the best treatment for panic attacks is exposure therapy, meaning that you need to face your fears in order to conquer them—and that is not as easy as you think.
