They definitely sound like panic attacks to me. You should discuss this with a doctor, because it could be a sign that you have an anxiety disorder which needs treatment. The good news is that panic disorder and other anxiety disorders are usually very successfully treated in a fairly short space of time with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
Panic attacks can be extremely scary and upsetting, but they can't hurt you. Trying to supress the anxiety usually makes things worse. The best thing to do is sit down, cup your hands over your nose and mouth and put your head between your legs, then try to slow your breathing down. Breathing very deeply can actually make you hyperventilate more. What you want is for your breaths to be slow. Then just let your emotions come. Remember that your body cannot usually maintain a state of panic for longer than about 15-45 minutes, and you just have to ride it out.
Talk to yourself either out loud or in your head if there are people around or you're embarrased. Repeat the words "I am safe. I am not in danger. Nothing bad is going to happen".
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