Panic attacks are physical in nature, not mental. Check to see if you have an adrenal problem with abnormally high cortisol. This can be determined by saliva and urine tests.
Yes, you feel like you are going to die. You feel hot, sweaty, your heart is racing, etc. Its' not a good thing.
Your heart races, sweat, chills, short of breath, it feels like your body is in overdrive and panic attacks can also feel like your going to die, but your not going to die. Sometimes you get a sensation that your life is leaving your body. It is a very scary feeling and you even experience heart palpitations when this occurs.