Aa
Please help!
Okay, I am a college student who recently made a big mistake. I went with my friends to a hookah bar, a place where you can smoke tobacco out of a waterpipe. This is a fairly new way of smoking tobacco, and research is still out on the effects that it can have. Before that one time, I had never smoked anything. Since then (3 months ago), I have been anxious/depressed/panicky and cannot stop worrying. I constantly beat myself up about it, and it has taken over my life. I just can't live with the fact that I put my health at risk, I want to live and be with my family as long as possible. I live in constant fear that I am going to get lung cancer, and nothing helps. I really don't know what to do. I cry, I can't focus, I always worry. I cannot keep living like this. Help!
While everyone who has posted here has good advice, I feel that in your case, because you are normally very health concious, you have worked yourself into a state of anxiety over a one time event. You did NOT get lung cancer from your experience! You did it once, three months ago and have now spent that time convincing yourself that you've put your life at risk.
Even though I feel it is totally unnecessary, make an appointment with your doctor, tell him/her what you did, that it was only once and that you are never going to do it again. Tell them about all the anxiety you are feeling over this. I think simply having your doctor tell you, in no uncertain terms, that you have absolutely NOTHING to worry about may completly erase your anxiety, or they may offer you a very mild antianxiety med for a few weeks so you can break the cycle you're in. If you still cannot relax about this, then your next step will be to speak with a therapist about your health anxiety, but I feel very confident that someone of your obvious intelligence just need some real life medical reassurance that you've done yourself no harm at all.
If you don't wish to continue risking your health, I advise moving to a different planet.
You're gonna be fine you silly goose!
Peace
Greenlydia
Even though I feel it is totally unnecessary, make an appointment with your doctor, tell him/her what you did, that it was only once and that you are never going to do it again. Tell them about all the anxiety you are feeling over this. I think simply having your doctor tell you, in no uncertain terms, that you have absolutely NOTHING to worry about may completly erase your anxiety, or they may offer you a very mild antianxiety med for a few weeks so you can break the cycle you're in. If you still cannot relax about this, then your next step will be to speak with a therapist about your health anxiety, but I feel very confident that someone of your obvious intelligence just need some real life medical reassurance that you've done yourself no harm at all.
If you don't wish to continue risking your health, I advise moving to a different planet.
You're gonna be fine you silly goose!
Peace
Greenlydia
yea if you`ve only this smoked one time you have NOTHING to worry about,if anything, it would of made you sick in the stomach/lightheaded for an hour at the most.sounds like your depressed and have anxiety.the amount of bad things that are in the air that you`ve breathed in your whole life is ten time as bad as smoking once!come on rationalize.this is comming someone whos smoked,crack,opium,weed,tobacco,ive done mushrooms,hillbilly heroin(oxys),acid,cocaine...ect you have nothing to worry about! go get treated
All forms of smoking or ingesting tobacco have long term health consequences. I would be sure hookah bars (which are increasing in popularity to get around anti-smoking laws) and the way tobacco is consumed there would have their particular set of health risks. However, did you only try this once? Of course you are right not to do it again but if you had never smoked before or after consider it a one time mistake and don't obsess over it. The risk of lung cancer builds up over time. If you were a heavy smoker in the past and stopped, then yes its good to go to a doctor to get examined for any health consequences as part of a regular annual check up. But if this is the only time you did this I would doubt it would affect you.
I would say though that your worrying about it (and perhaps the reason you are posting here) to that extent is because you have anxiety disorder. First speak to a therapist to see if there's something that is of real concern in your life and if the issues can't be settled that way and there are constant panic attacks and anxiety attacks then I would seek a referral to a psychiatrist. Medication may be needed but talk therapy and behavioral therapy work for anxiety disorder as well depending on how much it impacts a person's life. If you are having constant panic attacks then perhaps medication is needed. But first speak to a therapist and see what's going on as even if a person sees a psychiatrist talk therapy is needed as well.
I would say though that your worrying about it (and perhaps the reason you are posting here) to that extent is because you have anxiety disorder. First speak to a therapist to see if there's something that is of real concern in your life and if the issues can't be settled that way and there are constant panic attacks and anxiety attacks then I would seek a referral to a psychiatrist. Medication may be needed but talk therapy and behavioral therapy work for anxiety disorder as well depending on how much it impacts a person's life. If you are having constant panic attacks then perhaps medication is needed. But first speak to a therapist and see what's going on as even if a person sees a psychiatrist talk therapy is needed as well.
CALM DOWN!!!!! You are totally fine!! There isnt anything wrong with you. You should go to the Dr. and get meds for your anxiety ASAP. I know your feeling. I have been in the worst states of the mind possible. You need meds and maybe some therapy. Get a dr. appt ASAP! youll be fine once you start to take the meds.
Do some deep breathing, clear your mind, relaize that there is nothing wrong with you and what you did wasnt so horrible. RELAX!!
Do some deep breathing, clear your mind, relaize that there is nothing wrong with you and what you did wasnt so horrible. RELAX!!
You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?
