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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in the Treatment of Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia

Italian Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Elisa Faretta

H. Bernheim Italian Institute of Clinical Hypnosis and Psychotherapy

This article describes a comprehensive treatment of a case of panic disorder with agoraphobia. A thorough history taking revealed that experiential contributors had a pivotal role in the development of the condition. Therefore, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) was used to address early traumatic events as well as the present stimuli that caused disturbance and had maintained symptomatology for the past 12 years. Although the client's symptoms were resolved after 15 sessions, EMDR was also effective in addressing future behaviors and resolving anticipatory anxiety. During EMDR processing, the client demonstrated emotional and cognitive changes consistent with trauma resolution, insight, and personal growth. The client gradually enacted functional new behaviors spontaneously as treatment unfolded. The therapeutic process and the targets are described in detail.

Key Words: panic disorder • agoraphobia • eye movement desensitization and reprocessing • trauma

Clinical Case Studies, Vol. 6, No. 1, 44-63 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1534650105277220


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