Quitting smoking and depression...

[SableZen]

From reading, it seems that many people go through a period of depression when they quit. And honestly, that is the only part of quitting that really worries me. So my question is, how bad is the depression?

[kathyjo]

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/Links_CravesAndStress.html

The above link speaks to your question and hopefully, you will find your answers.
On a personal note......I didn't have any depression after my quit but I was depressed and so I smoked for many years before it. I actually felt so liberated, in control, and proud that I could stay quit. My depression left the day I realized that I could control it and it couldn't control me anymore!
Support is essential.........
Keep in touch : )
Kathy Jo

[Jen813]

That hardest part of not smoking anymore is....not smoking anymore.  I remember when I quit for the first time it was so awkward.  To me it was like I had lost a best friend or something (not to deter you!!).  However, my doctor had prescribed me Wellbutrin.  I took it two weeks before my quit date and then threw on the patch and went from there.  The Wellbutrin was awesome in that whenever I would have a cigarette I wouldn't get that 'high' from it, so halfway through it I was like 'I don't even want this...why am I smoking it?' and I was at a pack a day.  The other good thing is that the Wellbutrin is an antidepressant so it really helped even out the issue of depression.  If I didn't have other problems like being bipolar and at one time being addicted to pain meds, I may have stayed quit....but instead I quit for 6 months and started up again.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  So frusturating.  Anyway, Best of luck to you.  Look into the wellbutrin if you can.  It really is great.  Keep us up to date on  how you are doing!

[kathyjo]

Please don't give up on quitting! You can do it but you need the right tools. Start off by reading the articles on whyquit.com, especially "My cigarette, My friend."
When I first quit I read that one article on a daily basis and it really did help me.
There is also a new website called: http://www.becomeanex.org
That website is supposed to help you re-learn your "every day activities" without the smokes. Look into it and see if there is something there that can help, just don't give up.
Ask everyone you know to support you and it may make the difference : )
Kathy Jo

[Jen813]

Thank you!  I will look into those.  I went for my annual physical about 3 months ago and my doctor actually told me with all of the mental issues I have going on I would be better off not quitting.  I've finally gotten all of that under control and I'm getting to the point again where I know it's time.  I honestly can't wait to get to the point where I don't have to go and smoke..it takes up so much time, and sometimes it even feels like it controls a bit of my life (when am I going to be able to smoke, where am I going to go to smoke, do I have  enough smokes....).  I will be glad to be done with all of that again.  It was sooooo freeing.  Thanks again for the sites and advice and I will definetly be looking into them!!

[Canuckchick]

I didn't suffer from depression at all. Anxiety yes, but not depression. I quit cold turkey with no help from drugs or anything. I'd tried twice previously with Zyban (Wellbutrin) and the drug works but the side effects were too much for me. The reason I was able to quit the last time (it's been 3 yrs now) is because my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer from smoking (he died in 05) and I had lung xrays and a heart xray to see if there was any damage. There was. My Dr told me if I continued to smoke I'd end up with emphysema. I also had some calcification in one of my heart valves. That scared me. Plus, I'd started dating a really hot non smoker and I knew if I wanted to keep him around I had to quit. So...I'm now a non smoker going on 4 yrs and I have a really hot boyfriend! : )

I only smoked about 1/2 pack to a pack a day but I'd smoked for over 20 yrs ...and I really liked smoking. If I can quit anyone can quit. YOU can quit. You just have to really put your mind to it and don't get discouraged if you fall off the wagon. I did but I always got back on.