This is the excruciating moment an Australian academic froze on live television after suffering an anxiety attack while being interviewed about North Korea's recent rocket launch.

Dr Benjamin Habib became lost for words after being asked to give an expert opinion about the launch on ABC24 News Breakfast on Monday.

The lecturer in International Relations at La Trobe University, Melbourne, has now revealed he is 'devastated' by the 'very public humiliation' after being overcome by his anxiety.

Despite the efforts of presenters Virginia Trioli and Michael Rowland to coax him out of his terror, he stumbled through his answers and lost his train of thought mid-sentence.

Dr Benjamin Habib (pictured) became lost for words when speaking on ABC24 News Breakfast on Monday morning after he had been asked to give expert comment on North Korea's recent rocket launch

When asked: 'Do they really care what the world thinks about what they're doing?' Dr Habib answered, 'No they don't' before pausing and admitting: 'I'm losing it here'.

He has now bravely opened up about the experience, which he described as 'the worst public embarrassment of my career' in a blog post for the ABC.

'The interview was a disaster from the get-go as I melted down under the weight of anxiety,' he wrote.

'The experience was mortifying, the feeling afterward devastating, and the humiliation very public.

'In doing the News Breakfast interview I inadvertently thrust my lifelong battle with severe anxiety into the public domain.'

The lecturer admitted that he 'did not sleep a single minute' between accepting the invitation on Sunday afternoon and doing the interview on Monday morning.

The lecturer in International Relations at La Trobe University, Melbourne, had written and spoken 'extensively' about the topic, but suffered a 'panic attack' after being overcome by his anxiety

Despite the efforts of presenters Virginia Trioli and Michael Rowland to coax him out of his terror, he stumbled through his answers and lost his train of thought mid-sentence

The expert said he had 'no memory' of the first question as his mind was 'swimming in a haze'

Dr Habib said he felt 'instant discomfort' when he was led into the 'claustrophobic' which was filled with cameras, auto-prompter screens, TVs and computer screens.

The expert had 'no memory' of the first question as his mind was 'swimming in a haze'.

'As I realised that seconds were ticking away without me forming a coherent answer, the physical anxiety reactions intensified,' he said.

But with every question the presenters asked, he 'struggled more' as his anxiety took control of his mind and body.

'I was in complete shock. I have never before experienced such an intense anxiety reaction, even as someone with a long history with social anxieties.

'All I wanted to do was crawl into a hole away from human contact'.

Dr Habib said he felt 'instant discomfort' when he was led into the 'claustrophobic' which was filled with cameras, auto-prompter screens, TVs and computer screens

His 'courageous' post has prompted a positive response on social media, with dozens saying his decision to speak out will help many others

Dr Habib said he hoped writing about the experience might help his students and other people with anxiety to 'normalise mental health as an issue'.

His 'courageous' post has prompted a positive response on social media, with dozens saying his decision to speak out will help many others.

Ingrid Ozols ‏said: 'Dear Benjamin Habib, I acknowledge the horrendous pain you have experienced, and understand the 'wanting to hide''

Tehn Yit Chin said: 'Kudos for Dr. Benjamin Habib - 'Talking about mental health problems is a sign of strength.' #MentalHealthMatters'

Jane Gunn ‏said: '#Benjamin Habib's courage to speak out about #anxiety will help so many others.'