Please give your advice, I need a break from this.?

I used to be a strong person, not intimidated easily, now I cannot say the same. It seems as though fear has taken a chunk out of my life and stopped me from being me. I once was known for being honest, fearless and brave. Now I see cowardice ways in my actions and sometimes I am so intimidated by people I feel like I am in panic, heart racing, shaking noticeably, etc. What happened to me? What's wrong with me. Sometimes I try to get a hold of myself but I can't deny I'm afraid of something when I am shaking and trembling from it. I don't want to be this weak but how do I stop? I sometimes feel like the only way to overcome fear of people is to be tougher than them but at this point I am ready to really over come it, how?