I m having panics often. what can I do to prevent them? My brother takes Alprazolam when he gets them and the medication helps within 10 minutes. I don t have many of the physical symptoms like racing heart, shortness of breath, persperation.. It s just an unbearable feeling of hopelessness and eternal doom. I can t stand it! I m 63 years old, overweight, and working with my doctor to lose weight. I had my 1st attack at age 19, the next one at age 47. Now I wake up from sleep with them. Is it a nutritional deficiency? Thanks!