smoking and mental health

[mr.lucky66]

It seems to me from my experience and some studies I recently read about that people who smoke are more prone to episodes of anxiety/depression and other mental problems. I stopped for 5 days and strated to feel so much clearer and calmer. Too bad for me I didn't handle a big problem with my girlfriend and made the wrong choice. Has anyone else noticed a return to a saner life after smoking?, that is after the withdrawls.

[Jade59]

Yes, smoking most definitly causes more anxiety if you are prone to that disorder which usually goes hand in hand with depression.   I stopped smoking 7wks ago and began with the losenge, but  couldn't tolerate the side effects so stopped after 5 days and just went cold turkey.  Your still ingesting nicotine so eventually would have to go through w/d from the losenge too so I figured just get it over with.  The anxiety attacks, constipation, sinus problems lasted 3wks straight, but after that every day got a little better.  I used Xanax to get me through the anxiety attacks.  I felt like I was going to have a seizure, my heart would pound so hard and I would start to panic.  Xanax helped alot.  I noticed my lungs felt better almost the first day and the change in the appearence of my skin tone and energy level is an unexpected surprise.  After 5wks I started to feel all wound up and still unable to sleep(forgot to mention 3wks of insomnia, but that will get better if you sleep well in the first place) I am an insomniac and have been since 17years.  I now remember why I started to smoke in the first place.  My point is if you began smoking to manage stress in the first place, that problem will still exist as I am finding out.  Excercise and diet are key to stress management as smoking is only a quick fix.  Finding out why you are stressed or depressed is the first step to being a successful non-smoker.  This was not hard for me because after so many years I came to HATE smoking, but dealing with stress without my usual outlet is really difficult.  I don't want to "smoke" per say, but I do crave some relief from this manic feeling.  Please remember though that the physical withdrawals do not last forever even it may feel like it at the time.  GOOD LUCK!

[mr.lucky66]

anxiety is the worst the others are doable for me.

[ramana]

can u plz tell me what are with drawl symptoms of smoking i am planing to stop smoking and drinking.and how to over come the withdrawl symptoms

[mr.lucky66]

Thanks for writing. I think it does make anxiety/depression worse even though it may seem to help when you light up. I also read some medical stuff about smokers making up a big% of mental pts. It seems to me than saner more balanced people don't have this habit. I want to be one of them

[uphill7584]

i have been smoking for about 10 years...and i definitly notice that sometimes when I smoke my anxious feelings increase. Its wierd, i think it has something to do with breathing  in chemicals and co2 instead of oxygen. makes me lightheaded occassionally, then i get nervous, and the anxiety starts. definintly know what you mean/.