EYE-MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING FOR PANIC DISORDERS - A CASE SERIES

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a new technique that has shown some promise in the treatment of traumatic memories, was evaluated in this pilot study. Subjects were seven clients suffering from panic disorder who received EMDR treatment for memories of past and anticipated panic attacks and other anxiety-evoking memories of personal relevance. Standardized self-report inventories and behavioral monitoring instruments were employed to measure change with treatment. After five sessions of EMDR, subjects reported a considerable decrease in the frequency of panic attacks, fear of experiencing a panic attack, general anxiety, thoughts concerning negative consequences of experiencing anxiety, fear of body sensations, depression, and other measures of pathology.