I have that exact feeling! I've never been able to describe it quite right but you do a great job. I can remember having the same feeling when I was six or seven and my mother was mad at me. It's the pre-spanking doom thing. It's awful and I started having it right after I started seriously trying to quit drinking.
I think it's about the responsibility we feel for what we are trying to do.
Are you generally fairly concerned about things you can't control? I certainly am. I'll give you an example:
I was told to take an anti-anxiety drug so I can sleep better. But I won't because I want to be able to hear if anything bad might happen....hence the need for the anxiety drug.
What a roller coaster!!