As with anger, panic can overwhelm the caregiver and make her feel lonely. Often she's aware of a painful discrepancy between the fear she feels and the calm, competent way she appears to others. Fear is a normal emotion that occurs when we feel threatened. Worry that she can't manage the situation, that the illness and her role in it are proof of God's punishment, or that she won't be able to live when her loved one is gone are all thoughts that threaten her. Fear may cause her to feel cut off from others in a dark and scary place.
Fear also causes adrenaline to surge, which is part of the fight or flight response.
When caring for someone, the caregiver can't fight or run, so she may feel stress, anxiety, and loss of control in the form of fluttering in the solar plexus area, shortness of breath, or a pounding heart. I recommend two methods for dealing with fear. First, suggest that the caregiver talk to a trusted friend. She should ask the friend to just listen and not offer advice. Talking about fear takes the edge off it and gives her friend a way to help.