Is it okay to be having multiple panic attacks every other day that last over an hour each time?

Hi, and thanks for your question.

Within reason, some things in life must be endured -- abnormally chilly summers and cloudy days at the end of June...excessive leftovers that you're SO tired of eating...coyotes howling on the hill at 2am, and things of that nature.

...But as a general rule, if something (whether it's a panic attack or pretty much anything else physically unpleasant) is making you uncomfortable and it is increasing in frequency and/or intensity, it's *not* okay and bears looking into...

You hadn't mentioned what kind of symptoms you're having that have been increasing in frequency and intensity, so I can't speak to those specifically. It does bear mentioning, however, that it's important to visit your primary care physician and discuss your symptoms, as other physical health conditions (nutritional deficiencies, heart rhythm/blood pressure issues, asthma, thyroid conditions and hormonal imbalances) can masquerade as anxiety and/or panic disorders. If your condition is worsening because of a physical health condition, no amount of psychotherapy is going to fully address your symptoms. That's why it's important to visit your doctor while you're looking for help in the psychological realm, too. A visit to the doc along with some simple routine lab work can rule out (or in, as the case may be) any physical health conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms.

If all is well on the physical health front, working with a trusted therapist can help address any unhelpful thought patterns you might have that are contributing to your panic symptoms, as well as developing a toolbox of relaxation/de-escalation techniques you can use in the moment to reduce your internal symptoms of reactivity/panic. If you happen to have a history of traumatic experience that may be contributing to your symptoms of anxiety/panic, those can be worked through as well.

The bottom line is, there is help out there for what you're going through, and there's no reason to suffer. You're already halfway there -- you've reached out this far! Take the next steps to connect with a therapist that's right for you and take your life back again.

Best wishes! You can do this!