Bad anxiety/depression briefly after smoking cigarettes

[RedOnChrome]

I am in my mid 20's, and have been struggling to quit smoking for a little over a year now. It seems like I will quit successfully for one or two months, and then end up relapsing. When I do smoke, it is very lightly, as in one or two cigarettes a day, unless I go out drinking for a night, at which time I smoke more heavily.

Lately, immediately during, and after smoking a cigarette, I begin to suffer from pretty severe depression and anxiety for a period of about 25 minutes. It will start approximately half way through the cigarette. Generally, I will start feeling like a failure, because of how long I have been trying to quit, but obviously haven't. Then, a couple of minutes later, I will get racing, and disturbing thoughts and the depression worsens.

The strange thing is that it seems to be getting worse every time I smoke. This last time scared me so bad, it is what prompted me to find this forum and post this question.

I am certain this is brought forth by nicotine, and not just me being disappointed in myself for failing to quit (although that does play a part), because of the immediate nature, and time frame which it lasts after smoking. I briefly searched google, and only found information on anxiety and depression after quitting for a period of time, and not directly after smoking.

I am interested to hear if anyone has had experiences like this, or if anyone at least has any insight into the situation. Thank you.

[stephness]

Actually, it might, like you said, not be because you are failing to quit. I've done some research and i think it might be because of the substances in the cigarette itself. I smoke too and i've been noticing that i get depressed sometimes during a smoke. Do you feel like you have a tendency to become depressed? Probably to stop having this feeling you should quit smoking. Or you have to bear that feeling you get after smoking.. it's your choice.. If i discover anything new i'll let you know. Good luck.

[Alejandro_Moebius]

When I am alone and I smoke, I feel depressed and sick afterwards for about 20 minutes. It doesn't happen when I smoke and drink.

[Alejandro_Moebius]

When I am alone and I smoke, I feel depressed and sick afterwards for about 20 minutes. It doesn't happen when I smoke and drink.

[DavidPWMacmillan]

I know exactly what you mean, I am searching for answers myself which is why i ended up here, however i am not trying to stop smoking but yeah after a few draws of a cig i get worried/anxious i think the nicotine may bring out anxiety you may already have maybe there is a reaction between the nicotine and what triggers your anxiety, maybe its a mental thing? i am no expert but i am just trying to think of possibilities. I also tend to feel like this smoking in the mornings or afternoon, but never evening/night time , maybe it is because i know i have to face the public and people at work knowing how negative the world are and how evil people can actually be. soo.. yeah i think alot of factors may come into this, smoking may not be the source but may bring to surface your anxiety. My theory based on my experiences.

[monono]

I am not really a smoker, but cigerettes make me depressed, I smoke socially once every two weeks, and on my own I smoke approximately three cigarettes a month. I don't feel in any way bad about the fact that I smoke, there are months when I won't even have one cigarette, so when I do want to smoke I don't feel any guilt about it. I'm writing all this because I believe that this feeling of depression doesn't stem from just being dissapointed in yourself  for smoking etc. Anyway, a few months back cigarettes started to make me feel depressed - when I got to about half a cigerette and it lasted for about 30 min to an hour. I wasn't thinking any negative thoughts, it seemed like a purely emotional reaction. I could even be doing something that I would normally enjoy, like talking with friends while having that cigarette, but the dark mood just set in nevertheless. I just had a cigarette 20 min ago and decided to google this effect,  I did experience long bouts of depression in my life, so I know what it feels like. Now, I am much much better. Ofcourse I still get anxious and stressed, and I still have bad days, but nothing compares to that awful feeling when I have a cigarette, it really is depression at its worst, something I never feel without a cigarette anymore. (Sadly, when the feeling passes I forget how bad it is and so I never quit smoking completely). Just wanted to share my experiences too, I don't understand it, but it definetely does happen. Good luck to all of you!

[Baku22]

(sorry for my bad english, i am not from a country that english spoken)
Beside anxiety, it make my low back pain and muscules very weak. It is absolutly physical not psychological. I have no filing of guilty. But just after smoking a sigarret, i could not be any healty thought, as if, my brain tring make me feel bad even try to think postivily. It is very svere in my case. I wonder what is the cause. But i think it is neurological system and may be we are effected because there is another issue about our brain. After 1 day quitting the the negative thoughtes that attacks my mine gone, i became totally different person. I would not even think nicotin can do that to some peopel.And it is weired that i could not find any scientific research  specifically related to our issue.
And to know that i am not alone is made me better also.