I have had about five bad ’panic’ attacks in my life where exactly as you describe has happened.

Early last year (I think it was) I had rising symptoms again with a couple of panic attacks in quick succession, so I went to speak to my GP. I think it was a surprise to him as I had never mentioned them to him before. He prescribed Xanax which I took for only one or two months, then stopped. So far I haven’t had any more full blown attacks however I do start to get a bit panicky when I see something on TV such as someone confined in a small place or tied up so I try to either avoid those shows or look away.