@src_esther sounds very dementia like to me, the official term is Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS).
It's not at all my specialty, but from what I know by heart I would recommend:
- a predictable routine
- a nightlight if it's after "light's out"
- staying close by the dog if possible
If you let me know (in DM is fine) where you are I might be able to help you look for a specialist for the behaviour aspect, and possibly a vet who is open to quality of life improving interventions.

@src_esther dementia is the first thing that came to mind, even before I finished reading.
Is it better/worse at specific times?
Did you notice a decline in auditory/visual responses?
Going deaf/blind can be very disorienting.
Regardless of those answers, you'll probably have to take whatever this is up with your vet, so you can treat the symptoms (panicked behaviours) or even better, the cause (hypothetical underlying condition)

Well, shit, yeah, I wanna see that!
#RelevantToMyInterests

@2342 that's hard, because having something of equal or higher value than something with another dog's drool in it is a challenge 🤣
Pro tip, get a cheap hotdog cutter like this on AliExpress or Amazon, cut up a pack/can, freeze it in portions, and preheat them (that last one is a game changer because they smell more strongly after) before going out…
And practice giving up high value items, give them the treat, and then let them have the item back as often as possible to reinforce giving it up.

@2342 this is such a fun question!
I would recommend playing with 2 tennis balls or 2 other equal value toys.
Then you can make the one you're holding more enticing by moving it around, bouncing it, throwing it in the air etc.
You can experiment to see if they drop It by themselves and then throw the one you have, or whether they drop it when you throw the one you have.
I literally taught Delilah to retrieve and let go of her toys in less than two days.