You run faster than you can say abracadabra. It was designed to insure our survival in ancient times. These attacks tend to recur and soon you find yourself in a merry go round trying to avoid what you think caused the attack. You have developed Panic Attacks with Agoraphobia. Gradually, The panic is overwhelming.
Shopping becomes An excruciating chore.
Slowly, Almost imperceptibly, You are transformed into A recluse A prisoner of your own Brain biochemistry gone awry. But there is hope and there is help available. The tiger can be tamed and turned into a loving, purring little kitten. There almost always exists a concomitant spontaneous panic anxiety. It is this unremitting panic anxiety that eventually leads to the phobic avoidance.