> What I've learned in the months since is that in order to overcome the panic and anxiety you have to do something very simple yet seemingly incredibly difficult; you have to let it happen. Let the panic wash over you. Don't run. Don't distract yourself. Close your eyes and focus on breathing from your belly--deep breaths from the belly rather than shallow breaths from the chest. And then pay attention to where the panic is and what it feels like. Just observe whats happening and let it happen.

    "I must not fear. 
     Fear is the mind-killer. 
     Fear is the little-death that brings
       total obliteration. 
     I will face my fear. 
     I will permit it to pass over me and through me. 
     And when it has gone past I will turn
       the inner eye to see its path. 
     Where the fear has gone there will be nothing
       ....only I will remain"
     -- Frank Herbert, "Dune"

I had some brief moments of anxiety when I was growing up -- I never sought any treatment, but the coping mechanism I developed was essentially what you describe. I suspect others have had more/stronger problems -- for me the thing passed after a few years, and so far hasn't come back.

I certainly recommend seeking treatment with any illness that is bad enough that it causes problems in daily life -- I'm sure I would have needed treatment if it didn't just pass "on its own".