Hi Sandy ! I truly understand exactly where you are - as I was in the same position in the past. I had no clue what was going on with me, and determined in my own mind that something about certain stores made me "ill" - however, after therapy, I learned that there was nothing in any store that caused me to feel that way, it was in my own thinking. IF being in crowds caused panic attacks, everyone would be having them, sorta the same line of thinking as when one person gets food poisoning from eating a certain food, everyone who ate from that same dish will get it. THAT can be true indeed, however, in the case of panic it just isnt the same. When I was in therapy, while inpatient, my therapists took me out into MY feared places, one of course being a mall. With "baby steps" I learned to change my "stinkin thinkin", and go with more ease each time, until I went in alone, knowing they were just outside and IF I made the CHOICE to retreat to them, they were there. Perhaps you could try that with with your husband staying a bit away from you, then further the next time. One of your sentences "WHen I do go I HAVE to take my husband". That is a great place to start with changing your thinking. Change the HAVE to CHOOSE.....that gives YOU power over what you are doing. Eliminating the words HAVE TO, MUST, etc, to CHOOSE will make a huge difference. Another technique that might help with any type fear, wear a rubber band around your wrist. WHen you start becoming afraid, SNAP that rubber band hard enough to HURT....and tell yourself at the same instant, "I CHOOSE to be here". That will sorta short wire the thinking process of fear into PAIN, as well as taking power over why you are there vs. fearing being there. WHile I realize having a "safe" person with you when you go places makes you "think" you are safer, in all honesty, that is simply because of your THINKING...... therefore, it is obvious you can change your "stinkin thinkin". As for the episode of actually falling to the floor, I would render a guess that you were not breathing properly. Do you know about diaphragmatic breathing? When we are afraid we tend to breathe too fast and too shallow. Make sure your BELLY moves in and out with each breath. It takes PRACTICE. Good luck - THERE IS LIFE AFTER PANIC!