The 32-year-old singer, who recently attended Sir Elton John's AIDS Foundation Oscar-viewing party, made a quick exit from the event just minutes after arriving as she had apparently encountered a panic attack, reported Contactmusic.
"Britney was excited when she first went to the party but moments later she was fazed about being at such an over-crowded event," a source said.
"She started to break out in a sweat and become short of breath, it was like she was having a panic attack ," the source added.
"Britney still finds large crowds nerve-wracking and doesn't feel comfortable at showbiz events. The chaos of the red carpet and all the unfamiliar faces is very daunting, a source said.
"She manages to block out the crowd and put on an act when she's on stage, but it's harder when she's socialising," the source added.