Phobias And Panic Attacks
It doesn't matter which phobia you have from the list of phobias, if it is severe enough there is a good chance that you have been able to structure your life mostly "around it". However, when you are faced to deal with your phobia head-on a panic attack may ensue. Here is an excerpt from a great article that describes this phenomenon in detail:
"...For those who do panic, the symptoms are:
Fast, pounding heartbeat
Difficulty catching your breath
Chest pain
Flushing and sweating
Feeling sick
Trembling
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Needing to go to the toilet
Feeling faint
This experience can be so intense that the person becomes convinced that they're having a heart attack, which adds to their feeling of panic.
Some people also begin to feel that the reactions of their body are so extreme and so out of control that they're simply an observer of it all...."