Poison ivy is not contagious and is not spread like an infectious disease from person to person. However, it can spread if the oily chemical on one person's skin is touched by another person. Even if the oil is on a person's skin or clothing, anyone who comes in contact with the irritant may develop symptoms.
(Watching Hannibal in action can give anyone anxiety!). Burt Reynolds, Kim Basinger, Nicole Kidman and Sir Laurence Olivier are just a few actors who have also suffered anxiety disorder issues. Yes, just about anyone can have trouble with anxiety, feel panicky sometimes or even have full blown panic attacks in public.
It's well known that anxiety can cause heart palpitations, and it's believed that the main cause may be an over-awareness of one's own heart, combined with surges of adrenaline that may occur at random in those with anxiety. These types of palpitations often trigger panic attacks. Panic attacks themselves can also cause palpitations. During a panic attack, two things occur that lead to rapid heartbeat: First, the sympathetic nervous system is on high alert, which may lead to a rapid increase in heart rate. Second, during panic attacks, people often have a tendency to hyperventilate.