I get a lot of panic attacks. Is there any way to prevent them from occurring? How do you calm down when they have started? I used to get them in high school all of the time, but then they stopped for a while. Then they randomly started again in my later 30's and I don't know what to do.

There are a few things that may help.
1. Practice slow breathing. Slowly breathe in through your nose and out your mouth.
2. Do something that you enjoy that will distract you from what initiated the panic attack - Drawing, singing, playing sports, running, biking, playing music, dancing, anything!
3. Eventually you will need to figure out what is causing panic attacks. This may be the toughest part, but I like to think if you take care of the source, you will prevent future attacks.

You should get tested by your doctor for your level of red-blood cell magnesium or RBC magnesium. This test will tell your doctor if you have enough magnesium in your red blood cells. Magnesium relaxes the central nervous system, so low magnesium can cause tension, inablility to fall asleep easily, and panic attacks. I think you will find that by taking between 400 to 800 mg of magnesium per day (i like magnesium citrate for it absorbability) for a few weeks you will see a reduction in panic attacks or none at all. One caveat though is that your body must have sufficient thyroid hormone in order to absorb magnesium so you might want to also have your thyroid checked. Foods high in magnesium include whole wheat, lima beans and grapes. A lot of calcium in the diet with low magnesium intake can deplete your magnesium levels even more because calcium is antagonistic to magnesium, but magnesium on the other hand helps your body to absorb calcium. So when taking suppliments keep your intake of magnesium to calcium about 50/50. If you have av heart block or kidney problems you need to be cautious in taking magnesium, and only do so under your doctor's care.

Thank you!