Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that can feel overwhelming, even when there is no immediate danger. They often involve physical sensations such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, shaking, chest tightness, or feeling disconnected from your surroundings. Panic attacks often continue because the body has learned to fear its own sensations. A faster heartbeat, a moment of dizziness, or a tight chest can set off a full panic response, even when there is no danger present.

EMDR therapy can help the brain process painful experiences so the memories may lose their emotional intensity in the present. Unlike traditional talk therapy, it does not require you to retell your story in detail. Instead, your therapist guides you through a structured process, often using side-to-side eye movements, that allows your brain to reprocess memories that never fully healed.