Can EFT cause a panic attack?

by Tabitha

Can you please tell me if this would bring on a panic attack when using EFT for anxiety.

I had done it early today with my (very good) psychologist and it felt great. So why 12 hours later would it bring on an anxiety attack? or did I bring it on with a visit to a new place by myself--I admit I pushed myself--but I have been trying to go out to one new place every two days and it hasn't brought it out before. The tap thing seems to be the only other thing I did today that would be new.

Val's Response

Hi Tabitha,
I'm glad to hear you are working with a psychologist who does EFT. While anything is possible, I think it's unlikely that the EFT 12 hours earlier was behind your panic attack, especially since it felt great.

I suppose it is possible that it stirred some things up that triggered fear later on - such as pushing yourself in a new place. Or it could just be that you pushed too much, like you said and have nothing to do with your session at all.

It would be a good idea to ask your psychologist about this. You may also want to ask him/her to teach you to do EFT so that when you are in such a situation again you can tap as you go. This is the ideal way to use it so that you can address the emotions right as they are manifesting.

I've seen several Gary Craig (developer of EFT) videos in which he does a lot of tapping with people in a safe place about their fearful situations. Then when the SUDS level came down to about 3 he took them into the situation. He had them tap until they felt comfortable (3 or less) moving forward each step of the way until they felt good about it - and stress level was down to a 0 - and it stayed there.

Perhaps that was the missing piece for you. So if your doc gives you the go-ahead don't give up on the process, it really works.

Best of luck, keep me posted,

Val