unsureme, that is, I'm sorry to say, a typical answer from someone who's never suffered this sort of experiences - lucky old you - it ranks with the "pull yourself together" sort of advice. This is real enough to people who have suffered (prudie, me too) and it can ruin your life if people don't seek help, which enables them to get a handle on it.
Tinks - you have my sympathy, the one thing useful which someone said to me that it's not the fear which panics you, it's "the fear of the fear", the apprehension about something which may never happen... agoraphobia's like that too, nothing will happen to you but you just know it might, and you can't put a name to it.
Ask if your GP will refer you to a hypnotherapist - a proper qualified person who can help you relax, and help you push these negative subconscious thoughts to one side. We all have them - I do - but most of us keep them under wraps if we don't need them.
Seriously - meditation music can help, too. Good luck with it...