Great question. Honestly, it doesn't really matter because we respond the same either way. Knowing about extinction bursts can be a helpful tool to make it easier not to buy in to the fear, but it's always good not to buy into the fear.
In fact, the thought of "wait, is this an extinction burst or is my mind just responding to some other perceived threat?" Is just another fear thought. And we can respond to it with, "Actually, it's going to be okay either way. I know it's temporary and it's going to pass."
That's a way of treating ourselves that can make our brains feel safer instead of leading us deeper into a state of fight or flight.
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