The prospect of hours spent standing in endless queues and shouldering past fellow shoppers fills most with horror.

But for people who suffer from panic attacks, it is enough to trigger the crippling effects of their condition.

A racing heart, profuse sweating, and an overwhelming need to escape are typical symptoms brought on by a panic attack, making the Christmas shop a virtual impossibility.

Betty (not her real name) had her first panic attack over 20 years ago.

The 51-year-old said: "I love shopping. I am a self-confessed shopaholic, but there is only so much you can do on the internet. I hate queues, so going to a city centre isn't really an option.

"Crowded places can bring on a panic attack so I avoid them."

She said the fear of a having a panic attack in public exacerbates the problem.

"You are terrified of making a fool of yourself. In the end you will do anything to avoid the 'fear of the fear'."

Although other people may not notice when someone is having a panic attack, the sufferer can experience symptoms similar to a heart attack.

"I think they are triggered by a build-up of stress. Mine began after my little son went missing. He didn't really go missing, someone else had picked him up from his karate lesson and when I got there he was gone.

"But it was the final straw in a series of stressful events.

"My heart began racing. It was so overwhelming I thought I was going to die."

After being diagnosed by her doctor Betty began having regular sessions with a cognitive behavioural therapist to help her avoid future attacks.

But it wasn't until she spoke to someone else suffering with the condition that she worked up the courage to go to town alone and indulge in her favourite past-time.

"My therapist put me in touch with a girl who hadn't left her house in a year because she was so frightened of having a panic attack. She thought it might be helpful for both of us.

"It was so good to speak to someone who understood what I was going through. We made a deal that she would venture to the shops round the corner if I went to Manchester and got to the shops on my own. I even managed Primark."

Although Betty found therapy helpful, she realised that speaking to someone who had had similar experiences had a greater practical impact.

Now Betty feels so strongly that a support network can help her reclaim her life that she is going to set up a self-help group, the first of its kind in the High Peak.

"When you are diagnosed as having panic or anxiety attacks, you have two options for treatment: cognitive behavioural therapy or drug therapy.

"You don't want to go on anti-depressants because when you eventually come off them you still have to face up to the problem.

"Although it is a common condition people don't like to talk about it in case other people think they are crazy.

"I am lucky because my family are so understanding and supportive.