I have learned that in times of panic or not being able to control the emotions that come over me, to sit still in the emotions.
When you sit still the dust settles and you can see around you. When you freak out you keep running around, kicking up more dust.
Sometimes when I sit quietly and "wait for it to pass", you can feel a bit of a hysterical peak, but then it goes down, and you can collect your thoughts from there.
It may take some practice, but it really does work.
Hope this may help.