Perhaps they are anxiety attacks, or they may be something else. Do you have thoughts or situations where the attacks are provoked? Is there something going through your mind at the time? Are you usually a nervous person (in your mind)? Do people often tell you you are anxious? Do some research on anxiety disorders, try not to self-diagnose.

Everyone's panic attacks are different. For me, I hyperventilate, my chest becomes tight, like my muscles are attached to strings and people are pulling on them, sometimes I cry, sometimes I don't, and I always vomit in the end. I catastrophise sometimes - other times my mind is blank.

If you do think you have anxiety, or you think it may be an option, skip the doctor. They'll make you fill out a standard test ("have you had suicidal thoughts", "are you depressed", "do you have panic attacks" etc.) and then try to pump you full of medication. See a psychologist. They will help. The psychologist isn't nice, or is condescending or gives you bad vibes? You walk out. Find someone good. Talk to them. They may refer you to a psychiatrist, who will offer you medication (if it's not full-blown crippling I-can't-leave-the-house anxiety, I recommend against medication, but that's just me).

Again, as I said, you may not have anxiety, but it's good to get this stuff checked out. My apologies for the big rant!! I left a bunch of stuff out, if you've got any more questions don't hesitate to ask. It's okay that you're afraid of telling anyone about them. This sorta stuff doesn't make you weaker.