Can quitting smoking trigger depression?
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD
Depression is one of the most common and most unpleasant of all illnesses. It is characterized by feeling consistently sad, hopeless and pessimistic for more than 2 weeks (usually much longer), and often involves sleep disturbance, fatigue and changes in appetite. Perhaps most importantly, major depression is a risk factor for both attempted and completed suicide. So anyone who has ever suffered from major depression may understandably be very reluctant to do anything that may increase the risk of feeling that bad again. Remembering that low/depressed mood (which is not the same as full blown depression) is one of the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, one can understand why someone with a history of depression would become concerned when they experience the onset of depressive symptoms after quitting smoking. Some studies find that people with a history of depression have a lower quit rate when they try to quit smoking, compared to those without such a history. One reason for this may be that onset of depressive symptoms raises the concern that a major depressive episode may return and triggers a return to smoking. However, a critical question is whether such fears are justified. Can quitting smoking increase the risks of onset of major depression?
Professor John Hughes, of the University of Vermont recently reviewed all the published studies providing evidence relevant to this question. The rate of major depression in the year after successfully quitting varied considerably across studies, from as low as 1% to as high as 31%. There was fairly consistent evidence that people with a history of major depression were more likely to have another episode after quitting, but this is not surprising as people with a prior history of depression are more likely to have another episode regardless of whether they quit smoking or not. Two studies by Professor Stan Glassman at Columbia University found that depression occurred more frequently in people with a history of depression who succeeded in quitting smoking compared with those who continued to smoke. In his review, Professor Hughes commented that none of the studies provided conclusive evidence and that there was a high risk of “publication bias”. This refers to the tendency for studies that don’t find a difference/effect to be less likely to be published. So what can we conclude from all this?
It looks likely that having a history of major depression is associated with slightly greater difficulty quitting smoking, and an increased risk of recurrence of depression in the months/years after quitting smoking. It remains uncertain whether quitting smoking can actually trigger an occurrence of depression, although it is clear that the majority (69-99%) of people who quit (even those with a history of depression) do NOT experience major depression within a year of quitting.
But how might this affect the choice of treatment, particularly for those with a history of depression? If I had a close relative who wanted to quit smoking but had a history of major depression, my advice would be as follows:
1. To ensure that you get the best advice and support, attend a treatment center with staff who have been trained to provide tobacco treatment, including access to medical staff with experience providing the range of tobacco treatment medications.
2. To increase the chances of successfully quitting AND preventing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms make sure you use an adequate dose of medication approved for smoking cessation. For the heavy smoker that should involve discussing with the doctor the potential advantages of combination therapy, such as Zyban (bupropion), plus the nicotine patch, plus one of the acute dosing nicotine replacement therapies (nicotine gum, lozenge, inhaler or nasal spray).
3. Make use of all the counseling support services available – ideally combining attendance at regular group or individual appointments, plus registering with a smoking cessation website (e.g. www.quitnet.com ), plus use of a telephone quitline.
4. Don’t start reducing the prescribed medication until you are feeling very confident about maintaining abstinence from tobacco and have discussed it with your prescriber. As a rule of thumb, don’t consider reducing your prescribed smoking cessation medications until you have had fourteen consecutive days with no cravings, withdrawal symptoms or near lapses.
5. Stay engaged in counseling for at least a few months (and ideally longer) after you have come off your smoking cessation medications. This could be as simple as scheduled monthly appointments or telephone calls, but even this relatively infrequent contact during months 4-12 after quitting smoking will help maintain focus on abstinence and will enable the counselors to monitor symptoms and treat as required.
Now all of this may sound like a great deal more work than people typically plan on when they try to quit smoking. It is. But I would remind my relative that this is a difficult but life-saving behavior change they are about to embark on. One likely to add ten healthy years to their life. Its well worth the effort both to successfully quit and to look after ones mental health in the process.
Labels: bupropion, cessation, depression, nicotine addiction cigarette smoking tobacco
70 Comments:
At Fri Sep 21, 04:12:00 PM 2007,
curious said…
i quit smoking 3 month ago
At Mon Sep 24, 05:44:00 PM 2007,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Dear Curious,
Congratulations and well done!
How did you do it?
At Tue Nov 27, 09:43:00 AM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I quit smoking 4 months ago and have never felt worse in my life! My skin is terrible, my nails are brittle, I am as miserable as sin and haven't slept for months. Will I ever feel that quitting was actually a good move??
At Tue Nov 27, 12:53:00 PM 2007,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Dear Anonymous of Nov 27,
Its unusual to remain so miserable 4 months after quitting. Those ffeling most commonly pass within the first month. Has anything else happened in your life other than quiting smoking?
Just not being able to sleep on its own can have a big impact on how one feels. I'd recommend talking with your doctor about this to get some help with feeling miserable and not sleeping. No-one should have to suffer that for too long. But don't assume its all the cigarettes fault (or lack of them). Going back to smoking would be bad for your general health and no guarantee you'd feel any better.
At Mon Feb 04, 02:46:00 PM 2008,
philosorappter said…
I quit smoking the first of the year. I have never been a very heavy smoker, mainly I smoked when I went to a bar. I didn't smoke at all in the morning or during working hours. I thought I had had a very easy time in quitting - but... I also have a history of severe depression. Last Wednesday I woke up in "the pit" and I feel horrible. I read your article and others because I wanted to know if the two were related. I'm going to see my doctor to ask if I should add or change medications. You recommend nicotine replacement AND psychoactives in your article. Would you still recommend that even though I haven't smoked in over a month?
At Sun Feb 10, 07:41:00 AM 2008,
Anonymous said…
I quit smiking last week, cold turkey. I really don't want to have to go through that agaian! However I am drinking like a fish, eating like a pig, and my mood and outlook is starting to deteriorate. Is there anything I should or can do? As far as drinking goes I have always drank, i've just noticed that I drink more now, (the same with eating). Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
At Mon Feb 11, 12:35:00 PM 2008,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Dear Anonymous of Feb 10th,
Sounds like you are experienceing the classic sugns ans symptoms of nicotine withdrawal syndrome. To learn more about it chack out:
What is nicotine withdrawal syndrome? 3/6/07
http://www.healthline.com/blogs/smoking_cessation/2007/03/what-is-nicotine-withdrawal-syndrome.html
...and to cope with it check out...
Ten tips for coping with nicotine withdrawal. 3/7/07
http://www.healthline.com/blogs/smoking_cessation/2007/03/ten-tips-on-coping-with-tobacco.html
At Sun Jun 29, 12:46:00 PM 2008,
Anonymous said…
I quit 28 Days ago. Same here, cant sleep, spotty skin, nails snapping, so depressed dont even want to get out of bed some days and the way im shouting at the people i love is a joke. But some how cant control myself. Had a relapse last wknd had one but it just made me cry with guilt !!
At Tue Jul 01, 12:24:00 PM 2008,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Dear Anonymous of June 29,
Sounds like this could be mood disturbance related to nicotine withdrawal. Check out the links about nicotine withdrawal and how to handle it, provided in my previous response (above). If you are continuing to feel this way, worth talking to your doctor. The mood disturbance typically lessens over the first 4 weeks after quitting. Let us all know how you get on.
At Mon Jul 14, 09:48:00 AM 2008,
Anonymous said…
I quit smoking 4 weeks ago - this is my second attempt this year.
I quit in January for 8 weeks but started again after gaining 25 pounds.
I went back to my previous pack a day habit quickly and lost 22 of the 25 pounds I had gained and set a new quit date.
I quit again on June 15th and am realizing that with each passing week my depressive symptoms are becoming more pronounced. This weekend my major activities were sleeping and eating. I am also recognizing that, although I didn't clue into it in March, it was a return of the depressive symptoms (including the weight gain) that sent me back to smoking then.
It has been 15 years since my last major depressive episode and I thought I had it beat. I don't want to go back there.
At Tue Aug 05, 09:34:00 AM 2008,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
The bad mood that is caused by nicotine withdrawal typically peaks in the first week and is markedly improved by the 4th week after quitting. But if you find your mood still worsening and that it is interfering with with your everday life weeks after that, then you should talk to your doctor. If you find yourself having thoughts of being hopeless or worthless or thoughts of self-harm you should talk to your doctor immediately.Although the mood distrubance from nicotine withdrawal typically last up to 4 weeks, everyone is a little different, and of course other life circumstances have their effects. It would be helpful if those who experienced mood disturbance after quitting...but then recovered, could tell their story - including the symptoms/feelings and the time scale.
At Wed Sep 17, 07:14:00 AM 2008,
Anonymous said…
Well, any word yet from anyone who's successfully come out of "the pit" after smoking cessation?
It's been 8 weeks now since I quit my pack-a-day habit. I've been on Wellbutrin for years (sib committed suicide) and figured I didn't need extra to quit smoking. Beginning to think I was wrong, since now I am on the verge of tears constantly, all I want to do is sleep and my mood swings from anger to sadness in seconds.
Hustling to my doctor ASAP, but sure would be nice to hear from someone who's "made it to the other side".
Thanks for letting me air it out.
At Wed Oct 22, 06:54:00 PM 2008,
Anonymous said…
I am so happy to finally find other people who get depressed when quitting smoking. I have quit three or four times and get so depressed I can't do anything but cry. All the other sites I have visited haven't seemed to address this issue. I do have a history of major depression. Unfortunately, for the person who asked if anyone has had any success coming out of the "pit" the longest I ever quit for was nine months and I never did... but I also wasn't medicated at the time. I am ready to try again though! Thanks
At Sun Nov 09, 05:48:00 AM 2008,
Anonymous said…
Please tell me it gets better.... 33 days now and all I want to do is escape from life. There are few brief moments when I am very proud of me. I need more of these moments. The mood swings are way too many and I say things to the people i love that are not nice. I dream that I am smoking and enjoy it. I no longer want cigarettes to be in my thoughts, it seems to be getting worse rather than better. The depression actually hurts to the bone.
At Wed Nov 12, 12:09:00 PM 2008,
billyc said…
43 days smoke free after smoking a pack to a pack and 1/2 for 26 years. have been on the patch, first 4 weeks were relatively ok, cravings would come and go yet my will to never smoke again is what keeps me going. have been crying uncontrollably the last 2 weeks and feeling anxious and nervous inside. i read where those who have had a major depressive episode in the past (which i had a year ago) were more likely to have a major depressives episode weeks in to quiting smoking. i believe this is what i am having as i feel horrible most of the day and am so overcome with emotions at times. doc gave me wellbutrin and abilifi (?) yet i want to try and hold off on taking meds as i hope this will pass and ease over time. there are moments where i feel "ok" and that offers hope that i can ride this out. i have to keep in mind what my body is no longer taking in on a daily basis after posioning myself with nicotiene and that i will undoubtedly experience some rough times
At Tue Nov 25, 06:40:00 AM 2008,
chogge said…
After 25yrs, I quit smoking cold turkey - its been 6 months now. In the beginning I had those 'blue' feelings and was a litte grouchy. But I find that they really haven't gone away and seem to be worse. I cry quite a bit over anything or get very angry quite easily. This is crazy - or I feel like I"m going crazy.
I m not a big fan of anti-depressants as they scare me, but I'm also not interested in staying like this much longer.
I'm thinking since its been 6 months now, that this is far past niccotine withdrawl and I should think about talking to my doctor?
At Thu Nov 27, 08:47:00 AM 2008,
Chris said…
I quit 6 weeks ago, and I feel terrible. This is not what I expected. I thought I was supposed to feel better than ever. That's why I quit. I'm about ready to start back up. I miss my cigarettes. Tonight is Thanksgiving, maybe I'll celebrate with a smoke after my meal.
At Sun Dec 21, 03:16:00 PM 2008,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
A number of these recent posts describe experiencing the onset of depression after stopping smoking. Whenever this happens I would urge to discuss it with your doctor. Most did not mention whether or not they were also using a smoking cessation medication. As all of the effective tobacco treatment medicines (including NRT, bupropion and varenicline) reduce the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms, including depression and anxiety it appears even more important for individuals with a history of depression and related problems to use an effective smoking cessation medication during their quit attempt. Talking to a counselor (whether on the phone or face-to face) can also help work through depressive thoughts. I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who felt that they became depressed after quitting smoking, but stayed quit. How long did it take to get back to feeling normal and what helped?
At Mon Dec 22, 01:57:00 PM 2008,
billyc said…
As I previously stated, around day 43 (month and 1/2) of being smoke free it got really difficult. The uncontrollable crying, feeling so overwhelmed and the depression lasted about 2 weeks. I am approaching day 90 (12-30) of being smoke free and the crying and depression has decreased greatly and seems to have passed. I used the patch for 6 weeks and that was it. The urges to smoke are still there, yet I know they will pass and I remind myself that I have pledged not to smoke today and that gets me through. If you are experiencing the depression and other overwhelming feelings please know they will pass and it will get better, and please do not smoke, it is not worth it. I started taking wellbutrin 2 weeks ago and it seems to have helped with my mood and I sense a returning to "normalcy" and feeling like my old self. I am even dancing again in my bedroom while getting dressed for work and lord knows I can't dance!
At Thu Jan 15, 10:42:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
Oh my god, I can't believe these comments I'm seeing. I just officially quit yesterday, since I went the whole day without smoking. I had a nightmare last night but that's about it, but I can't believe everyone that has quit on here is this misrable! It's kind of scary...
At Fri Feb 06, 01:03:00 PM 2009,
Iquit4life said…
I quit smoking a month ago.. i have been going thru the depressing episodes and i was dieing to smoke but then i did research on why im feeling the way i do and found out its because my body is going thru withdrawl.. now that i know this i smile when i get this depressed feeling because i know its the nicotine trying to come back into my life..
i've smoked a half a pack everyday for 17 years and im only 31..
i feel great.. ill never smoke again no matter what the situation is.. if its stress go for a jog or do something in the gym dont give in cause that one cig will make you have to start all over again.
At Sun Feb 08, 07:36:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
For sure! I think I was self medicating for 35 years with smoking. I have been smoke free for 6 1/2 months now. For the first 3 months I took Chantix which really cut the craves to almost nothing. While on Chantix I was on top of the world and euphoric. In mid-October I weaned myself off of it and that is when the depression set in. I am hanging in there now and may start Zoloft. I am very stubborn and refuse to go back to smoking. I have promised myself NOPE (not one puff ever). Hopefully this depression will end soon. Believe me, the shame from smoking is worse than the depression.
At Mon Feb 09, 08:00:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
After 15 years of 30 a day, I quit smoking 38 days ago and after the painful withdrawal what's left is incredible depression and massive boredom.
I quit cold turkey and haven't smoked since and I don't crave smoking. I'm just very lost.
At Mon Feb 16, 07:57:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I have quit chewing 7 days ago I was a can a day chewer for about 15 years since jr. high I have lost sleep the first two nights not at all and then bad sleep the other 4 better now but not full night sleep the physical feelings are what drive me nuts the buzzy pressure light headedness feeling in my head is horrible I went to the doctor to check for a sinus infection and they say withdrawls can this really happen I don't see much on the physical as much as the mental I am not depressed can you tell me if this is normal has anyone else experianced this
At Wed Feb 18, 09:53:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
FWIW, I quit Sept 2007 and have never felt this bad since major depression in high school. I used about half of the Chantix prescribed, quitting easily but have had major depression/overeating/self image issues since. hmm, never had these probs using any other method although never quite this long. I would honestly think that almost 1 1/2 years would be enough to get over it. I keep feeling worthless, don't want to do anything, hate being bothered etc etc
Honestly, i am ready to start smoking again even though physically cannot just to feel okay again for the first time in 11/2 years.I HATE the way I feel and mostly hate myself feeling this way.
Insurance will follow you forever if you are prescribed drugs, also, so don't want to have it on my record if there is a way around it.. and natural methods? how about those who do not believe in drugs?
any input, anyone????????
At Thu Feb 26, 04:46:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
Finally, after searching and searching the internet to find some answers, I see comments that describe the exact way I'm feeling. I thought quitting was supposed to make me feel better. It has only been 2 weeks, but I already want to quit my job, leave my boyfriend and crawl into bed. But alas, i know I need support. I feel like crying all the time and have fits of rage.
I just want these emotions to stop, so i can enjoy life again.
At Wed Mar 11, 07:55:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
This thread is a huge help. I've never understood why quitting smoking is so horrible for me when my friends can just work through it. I've always thought it was because I was weak-willed or crazy. I quit again March 1st and am starting to go that dark place again. At least this time I know why.
At Wed Mar 18, 06:36:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I quit 14 days ago, and I totally identify with these posts. The past few days have been intolerable - crying incessantly, feelings of hopelessness, can't sleep at all but can barely get myself out of bed. Fantasizing about having a smoke. I had a few days in the past few weeks that felt okay, so I am hoping this is just a hurdle. I am hanging in there.
Last time I quit I gained 40 lbs (which is why i started again), so I am eating the lowest caloric, healthiest intake I can justify, I can't drink (it lowers my resolve), and I am mourning the utter loss of all things I know.
As I live through this, I will try write in my journal to remember how horrid it is so I won't start smoking have to go through it again. "Lucky" for me I am awaiting knee surgery, so I can't walk or go anywhere, either, so I am detoxing all at once and can't slip.
What a freaking HASSLE. When I make it through this...
At Wed Mar 18, 11:50:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I am approaching 6 months smoke free the end of march, after smoking heavy for 26 yrs. i went through the horrible depression, the uncontrollable crying, the overwhelming sense of nothingness and wothlessness in my life. did not want to get out of bed most days. i prepared myself for being smoke free as best i could by researching the stages of withdrawel and what to expect. i vowed never to smoke again, and still have the post it in my bedroom that reads "i pledge not to smoke today" cravings will pass, the stages of withdrawel will pass, no matter how difficult. i have trained myself how to live as a non smoker. please know your will is stronger than you think, and each hour that you don't smoke is an accomplishment. good luck to all of you.
At Mon Mar 30, 11:03:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
That last post gave me a boost. I quit smoking on Feb. 13 and took 3 puffs after one month. But I'm back on track. Physically, I feel good. I'm sleeping okay and have not been binge eating. But the depression is eating me alive. Like others have said on this thread, I'm surprised I feel this bad. I'm taking Welbutrin (150 mg/day) and don't want to increase the amount because I had trouble sleeping when I was taking 300 mg/day. A friend told me that I'm on the early side of developing "coping strategies" for life's ups and downs. In some weird way, that gave me reason to hope. I'm grateful for this forum. Thanks, everyone!
At Thu Apr 02, 08:35:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I can't believe that others feel this way. I just quit yesterday. I feel like my head is going to float away and that anything good or bad makes me cry. I want to stay in bed but I have to work...I will keep coming back to share and remember that I am not alone.
At Thu Apr 02, 12:17:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
That's right. You are definitely not alone. For me, the first three days after quitting were a miserable blur. Even though I was chewing nicotine gum, I was detoxing. For the first few days my sense of time felt completely off. I could relate to what the last person said about feeling like their head would float away. By the end of 3 or 4 days, that stuff passed. Every time the addict voice in my head told me that smoking was the only right thing to do, I'd imagine that it was the most detestable person I know. Why would I do what a loathsome person advised me to? I also talked aloud to myself to settle the panic and cravings. That may be hard to do at work, though. Just hang in there! Day 3 will be...different.
At Fri Apr 03, 06:06:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
i quit the middle of january this year and i am very proud of myself for that. i don't have a history of depression, but about a month after i quit i started getting very dizzy all the time until it was constant. finally it got so bad that i went to the doctor 4 days ago and he told me that generalized anxiety disorder and some underlying depression are the reasons for my dizziness. so the doc prescribed celexa(antidepressant)10mg. i've been taking it for 4 days and believe it or not i am starting to feel better. still have the feeling to cry sometimes and some side effects from medication(headaches, can't eat) but i think in the long run this will all turn out ok. has anyone else experienced the dizziness and distant from reality feeling. just curious.
At Sat Apr 04, 02:02:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
It would be so encouraging to hear from someone (preferably a woman 35+) who smoked for several years and quit smoking successfully ... someone who was depressed for the first while .. but is now a happy non-smoker... without anti-depressants. Do you exist? Is it possible?
I don't want to live my life on anti-depressants - they scare me. I've tried to quit smoking several times (patch, gum, zyban), but cannot seem to make it past 6 months due to the horrible depression. I just started smoking again the other day after 8 weeks without a cigarette because of the depression. I've lost hope and I am afraid to try again.
At Mon Apr 06, 05:02:00 PM 2009,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Anon of March 30th made a good point about learning coping strategies. For years the smoker may have coped with stress by having a smoke break. That may have prevented learning to use a host of other methods (excercize, talking it over with a friend, facing up to the problem, expressing the frustration rather than just trying to cover it with a drug, challenging the negative thinking etc etc). When you quit smoking its good to try to relearn the strategies that suit you. It may not be easy to face up to the problems but sometimes its better in the long run.
At Tue Apr 07, 07:35:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I am a 37 year old woman. I smoked since 14. I quit twice (for two years both times) once in my late teens; once in my mid-20's. I'm smoke free 4 months. Started with Chantix. I haven't and won't smoke again but I've been very depressed. Feelings of hopelessness and dispair. I keep moving forward, but it takes major effort. My tolerance level for people and situations is greatly reduced. I can't pretend things are fine when they are not. Its nice to know I'm not alone. I want to know why this side of quitting is not being researched. It seems to me this could be related to altered dopamine levels.
At Thu Apr 16, 03:09:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I quit smoking 8 weeks ago. After consulting with my GP, because I've suffered from depression before (I came off antidepressants about 6 months ago after being on them for over 2 years!) and because every time I've tried quitting smoking before have been hit really badly by a bad bout of temporary depression from nicotine withdrawal, I started using patches and an inhalator for when I needed an extra 'boost' of nicotine to try to alleviate the depressive symptoms gradually.
The first 6 weeks on the 15mg patches was surprisingly easy and, apart from a couple of grumpy periods which lasted no longer than an hour or two at most, I didn't have the usual massive slump in my mood . I even succumbed whilst drunk to 1 cigarette about 3 weeks into my quit, but it tasted absolutely foul and I stubbed it out before I'd finished it - "this time" I thought, "I've really managed to do it".
But then I moved down to the 10mg patch, which coincided with a family holiday to the seaside...a time that I thought would be ideal for stepping down to less nicotine, as I'd be away from the day-to-day stresses of life & work. But unfortunately I just found that I was hit by a MASSIVE bout of depression - as bad as anytime that I've tried quitting cold turkey. I'm very wary of the 'danger signs' of my depression now and so, after a week where our family holiday was, frankly, pretty hellish all round, I succumbed to the fags again purely as I knew it would (even temporarily) alleviate the depression. After 2 evenings and a day of being back on the fags, I decided that I really didn't want to carry on smoking, as the sore throat and very stuffy nose that I've always had whilst smoking had come back, and getting rid of that had been one of the really strong reasons for quitting in the first place! So now I'm trying the 10mg patches again, and whilst yesterday I was pretty grumpy and stressed, I'm trying to put a more positive thought on things today in the hope that things will improve. If not, I'm considering whether going back onto antidepressants for a while would help, but it does make me wonder which is the lesser of two evils - the dangers of smoking, or the dangers of mental illness by not smoking!
Here's hoping the depression will lift! Good luck to everyone going through similar things!
At Thu Apr 16, 05:07:00 PM 2009,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
A few people have described becoming depressed when stopping smoking. My advice in the first instance is to make sure you are taking enough medication to fully treat the nicotine withdrawal. For example as discussed in my post earlier this month, we recently published a trial finding that patch plus inhaler plus bupropion let to better outcomes than patch alone. Also dont be in a hurry to come off the meds. If you smoked for decades, whats a few more months on the meds?
At Thu Apr 23, 12:47:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I smoked menthol cigarettes for 23 years. I quit two 1/2 weeks ago cold turkey and I am also feeling extremely out of sorts and having difficulty getting anything accomplished. I am so unhappy and thought that I would have some sense of pride but really I just see myself putting on weight (not eating any more at all, just gaining weight..most likely from sitting around feeling down) and having no interest in sex or fun activities.
I do not want to go on anti-depressants, but it is a bit helpful to know that other people are going through this same thing.
At Sat Apr 25, 06:38:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I have posted here a few times, this was a very helpful site for me in getting through the initial stages of quiting and understanding what i was going through, and relief that i was not alone in what i was feeling. I am smoke free 7 months the end of april (after 26 years of a pack to a pack and 1/2 a day)and still wake up each day to a post it on my mirror that reads "i pledge not to smoke today." for those in the early stages of quiting, i wish i could take you to where i am, no urges, no cravings, the smell and sight of a cig disgusts me and makes me cough. i know what you are going through, please know there is a beautiful healthy life waiting for you in a few months. i quit sept. 30th and this is the 1st winter/spring that i have NOT gotten sick. a common cold for me would put me out a week, coughing, could not breathe, of course smoking while i was sick. i used to get 2-3 colds a year. gradually you will adjust to life as a non smoker. i thought i was out of mind with uncontrollable crying episodes early in my quit. you are not crazy, think of what you are no longer putting in your body, you have lost your best friend, your companion, your stress outlet. it will affect you in many ways. you are so much stronger then a cigarette. god bless and good luck to those kicking that god awful smoking habit. billy
At Mon Apr 27, 03:38:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I quit smoking cold turkey on the 22nd March 2009, after having smoked for 23 years. I no longer crave to smoke. But have found myself very lost and tearful at times.
I know that as a smoker I never felt so unhappy in such an intense manner, so I resolve this experience being down to nicotine withdraw. It passes away if you quietly ignore it. (as real an experience it feels)
Being aware of the likelyhood of depressive experience as a result of quitting the habit, has helped me through what I hope to be fundamentally a good decision.
There being no justifiable reason for the tearfulness experienced, I just put it down to the lack of nicotine ~ all the more reson not to ever touch it again.
At Thu Apr 30, 02:03:00 PM 2009,
rahim said…
I quit smokeing January 1st 2009 and havent smoked since. It was hard for the first two weeks while quitting, but since then i have had almost no cravings. my skin is healthier, i dont have bags under my eye's , and i can smell. while quitting i did get sick and i was depressed for a month or so, but then it passed.Now after four whole months i feel great. i smoked a pack a day for 17 years and now im free.
At Wed May 06, 07:54:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I have been nicotine free now since Jan 1st 2009, I did it by using patches, and decreasing the size of the patches very very slowly. I avoided the most severe depressive symptoms that I usually suffer from when trying to quit using this very slow withdrawal method. I feel it gave my body AND my mind time to adjust. Doing it too quickly is too much of a shock to the system.
To take my mind off things, I've bought a dog and taken up walking every day when I come home from work. Now I have my lovely dog and the countryside to enjoy, and am free of smoking. Whenever I feel low, I give my dog a cuddle. She gets lots of cuddles.
At Wed May 06, 10:58:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I quit smoking 3 weeks ago today, I used aricular therapy. There were very few withdrawals symptoms. I also stayed away from caffine. I do feel sad,tired and bored at times. I also have not been motivated to do much, I also feel a lot heavyer from weight gain. I really haven't been able to say, Wow I feel great, because I don't. I am actually a bit confused from all of this .But I will not go back to smoking, I waited a very long time to acheive this even with these crappy results. I smoked for 25 years a pack a day. I did want to quit smoking because I lost my mom in Aug 08. It was either quit now or suffer just like my mom did. I am hoping happiness will be there soon.
At Sat May 09, 05:39:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I am so happy to see this discussion, I quit cold turkey (+- pack a day) in July 2008 and instead of feeling better I have consistantly felt worse. I have anxiety a lot and have the light headed/dizzy feeling a lot. what a relief to hear that someone else has had the same thing. My doc prescribed cymbalta 60mg and I am going to start them tomorrow, wish me luck.
At Sun May 10, 08:48:00 AM 2009,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
DEAR ANONYMOUS OF MAY 6TH,
You mentioned that you had very few withdrawal symptoms, but then mentioned sadness, lack of motivation and weight gain. Most likely these ARE nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and the mood disturbance has typically improved significantly within a month of the last smoke. Try to be active in fighting your way out of the funk. If possible, now that the weather is improving try to get more excercize. Plan to treat yourself to something good with the money you are not spending on cigarettes. Im sure others would be interested in hearing how you get on.
At Tue May 12, 08:36:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
i had one of the worst fever due to phlegm and difficulty breathing. i vowed never to smoke again. its been 10 days and i didnt have any cravings whatsoever. But like many in this thread, i feel really depressed. When i go to work, i feel really worried and i really felt like quitting. at times, the loneliness could really kill me and i'd start to cry a bit. im a guy, btw.
At Fri May 15, 09:59:00 AM 2009,
devon said…
I quit smoking a month ago. I have been using step one of the patch, bupropion, zoloft, vitamins and exercise to cope. I am finding that I just don't know how to manage everyday things like planning out my day which I used to do first thing in the morning with a cigarette in my hand. I can't even focus to make a phonecall. The anxiety and depression is crazy and I keep on having this urge to hit myself on the left side of my head. I've done alot of research and found that this is the area where the insular cortex lays. Astonishingly, they have found that people that have had brain lesions in this area quit smoking without any withdrawal symptoms! I'm thinking of hitting myself stupid-geez oh man I'm goin absolutely nuts-last night I dreamed I was EATING cigarettes and then this bear was chasing me (probably representing addiction). Anyway I'm about ready to smoke unless somebody can tell me this will stop??
At Sat May 16, 12:13:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I truly believe quitting can trigger depression. In fact, I am now 39 and have spent most of my 30's trying to quit. Have quit 4 times in the last nine years - twice for 9 months, once for 18 months and have not smoked now since New Year's Eve - so about 5 months. Physically I feel much better, no coughing in the morning, but mentally, I feel terrible.. Each time I have gone back to smoking it has been due to the hideous depression I suffer whilst not smoking. I alienate my friends and family - I feel so low, I am unable to string a sentence together at times, let alone motivate myself to leave the house. Work is a struggle as I work in an office and have to interact with others - love the weekends when I can shut myself away from the world. Tried St John's Wort - they made me feel even weirder and gave me disruptive sleep patterns. My Dr has prescribed me Oxactin, but I am very wary of taking them. I am getting to the stage where I am having obsessive thoughts of smoking again, but really don't want to go through the hell of stopping again. Has anyone else tried anti-depressants to get through giving up smoking?
At Tue May 19, 03:08:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I last posted here on April 16th. Since then I've successfully stayed off the fags but have opted to go back on to anti-depressants. I'd strongly recommend this option if you are heavily affected by the depression associated with the brain-chemical changes caused by lack of nicotine.
I also found that the depression was causing me to drink a *lot* more, which in turn was making the depression worse, and so since I've been back on the anti-depressants I've almost cut out alcohol completely for now. I won't say that's been easy, especially as my social 'downtime' out of work revolves around seeing friends and sharing a bottle (or two) of wine or beer, plus they all smoke which makes it double hard, but there is a certain satisfaction the next morning when I wake up clear-headed and can function normally!
I've now finished on my course of patches and am having a few cravings for fags again, even though I've had the flu over the last week and know that smoking would've made it a lot worse - being around smoke at the moment is definitely still making my throat sore! But like the person above me really don't want to go through the hell of stopping again and that thought is helping me through the pangs.
To Anon who posted last, I'd thoroughly recommend taking your doc's advice and going onto anti-depressants. It was a bit of a depressing thought for me that I'm going to back on them again for at least 6 months again, but at the end of the day if that's what I need to help get me out of bed & to face the world, I think it'll do me less damage long-term than smoking or drinking!
At Thu May 21, 02:07:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
Anonymous of Mon Apr 27, 03:38:00 AM 2009 Again!
I have found that good clean healthy food and lots of exercise can cut through the depression.
But keep your portion sizes smaller than usual, food is not a substitute for a cigarette!
I have noticed that over-portioning food as a nicotine substitute, causes extreme tiredness, mental fog etc etc,I'm sure this depression thing has something to do with food overload and its toxicity.
I have also found that indulging MORE in hobbies that I enjoy lifts mood... I do more fishing, I do more gardening, I do more walking more cycling DESPITE FEELING BLUE.
I think taking anti-depressants is worse than smoking.
Eat light, do much much more of that which you enjoy... and take on the depression in a combative fashion like an enemy within.
Take on the blue aggressively by doing that which gives you joy, suspend thinking and judgement, get on your bike and pedal, walk that dog, fish that stream...
At Fri Jun 05, 04:28:00 AM 2009,
Mathew said…
I quit smoking 3 weeks ago...AHHHHH! Make it stop! OMG! Life sucks!
At Sat Jun 06, 08:34:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
i'm glad i came across this site. i quit smoking new years (6months now). oh i'm so glad i did it, i'm 27 and have smoked 11 years.
however i was diagnosed with major depression in 2003, i didn't take any treatments as i felt at the time that it was not depression; much research on my part convinced me that i suffered chronic fatigue syndrome (i have a masters in psychology). but, march of this year things hit an all time low, and i started taking lexapro for depressive disorder. this only caused me to become even more passive, despondant, unenthusiastic... i don't know, just numb; without feeling or emotion. anyway after taking lexapro for 3 months and gaining weight, losing my libido = relationship problems, drowsiness, and generally 'couldn't give a hoot' attitude, i feel i've become more depressed and i have stopped taking them since last week. at last, i am able to cry!! i am almost at my wits end, i don't want to go back smoking... but i often wonder if there is a link with quitting smoking and getting the depression so bad?
perhaps this is too much of a rant. sorry. but i've almost made a deal with myself... over the next 3 weeks if i don't lose some of the weight i've put on, and have at least 2 fully happy days where i just FEEL... then on the 1st of july i will go back on the cigarettes. btw; no, i do not have cravings... as i said, lexapro 20mg per day leaves me completely NUMB.
At Tue Jun 16, 05:50:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I quit smoking for the first time about 3 years ago. It was the worst time of my life. The depression was horrible. And what I put my family through??!!? I started smoking again about a year and a half ago. My mood improved and I was actually much happier. By the way, I did see my doctor who put me on anti-depressants and went to counselling. Neither helped. The meds made me feel out of touch all together. The counselling didn't help either. So, I started smoking again. Then my uncle died of lung cancer...I decided that it was time to quit again. That was a month ago today. The depression is sinking in worse than before. I refuse to go back on meds. Seriously thinking about smoking again. At least I wasn't making everyone, including myself miserable. I can't stand to be around myself...
At Wed Jul 22, 12:50:00 AM 2009,
saiba said…
Yes quitting smoking is super tough. But thats probably because smoking a cigarette helps us manage our feeling and emotions. Mostly it helps us escape from reality that includes emotions such as anxiety, depression, sadness, rejection and a host of other things. For most people it becomes a crutch that helps us deal with these feelings. And then some of us just smoke out of boredom/ lack of something better to do. I just want to say that ...its not that tough ..the mind is far stronger than nicotine, if you can learn to re master it. Don't let a cigarette rule your life. Its nothing ...it is as important as you choose to make it. You've already made the most positive decision of your life by quitting smoking, stick with it. Be your own master. Be in control. I smoked for 6 years and quit this Jan 09. All the best.
At Mon Jul 27, 04:08:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
Well I finally gave in and took the Citalopram tablets prescribed by my doctor and I must say I feel a lot calmer and do not crave cigs at all - well maybe now and again when I get a fresh waft of someone's, but it's bearable. I am so proud of myself - have now quit since 01 Jan 09 (nearly 7 months). This is my third quit and I finally feel that I am dealing with the depression/anxiety which kept me smoking rather than using it as an excuse to go back to the addiction I hated so much. Have just had a nasty cold and a bit of a cough, but nothing like the cough which would have followed when I smoked. Stick at it, it's worth it :-)
At Thu Jul 30, 10:19:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I finally quit smoking over 4 months ago. I smoked for 40 years. Disgusting. I used chantix for 3 months, and not the full dose, and took myself off it after that. I feel so much better, look so much better, my teeth are white and life is good. I was never a heavy smoker, just a closet one, but, boy I hated myself for doing it at all. Good luck. You are losing your best friend, the cigs, but gaining your life back. It's a good deal!
At Mon Aug 03, 07:19:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
It seems that most quitters have swapped the bad habit of smoking for a habit of taking medication. That can't be right?
I have quit 4 months now, yes I get depression, but keeping a journal of it, I find that it is triggered by people, but most of all is caused by my thinking/thoughts. I bring it on in myself, I perpetuate it and I blame that lack of cigarettes for it.
When the depression subsides, so does the little voice in my head.
The depression is in me, nothing to do with the cigarettes.
At Mon Aug 03, 02:48:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
it can be right that quitting the smoking habit leads to medication. i am approaching 1 year smoke free after smoking 26 years. i have gone through horrible bouts of depression, all after quiting smoking. i vowed never to smoke again and i will not, it is often the craving that is so overwhelming, yes, it does subside, but please keep this in mind~ smoking triggers the release of dopamine, the feel good hormone, that is normally the depression folks go through after quiting, i had become dopamibne deficient over the last 3 months and very depressed, was put on wellbutrin, anti-depressant and commonly used for those quitting smoking. i have not had a single urge for a cigarette in 3 weeks and feel "normal" for lack of a better word. i was practically miserable for about 3 months, i will take the medication any day over having a cigarette, and to feel like my old self is a wonderful thing. just my opinion
At Wed Aug 19, 02:46:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
Thanks for all the posts. Everything that I read I can relate to. I am 37 days into my quit with no relapse, however, the anxiety has been awful. I am now for the first time taking Xanax and Zoloft. Still having night-time awakenings and dreams of smoking. I do feel better in terms of having more energy, but my mood is low. I am committed to staying quit and staying on meds temporarily until this passes. This is the hardest thing that I have ever done. God will see me through no matter how difficult it is right now.
At Mon Aug 31, 12:53:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I gave up smoking 2 years ago and feel so low i have tried everything antideprsants counciling i am seriuosly cosidering smoking again
At Sat Sep 05, 02:27:00 PM 2009,
Rachel said…
I quit smoking 38 days ago and I share the same depressed feelings as most of you which lead me to this web site. Lastnight hubby and I went to the casino - our favorite pastime - and I made it through the whole night without a cig. (I carried one round all night just in case but never lit it). I should be proud but instead I AM MISERABLE THAT THE GOOD TIMES ARE GONE - THERE ISN'T ANY FUN ANYMORE and although that sounds ridiculous I truly feel this way. I lost 50 lbs prior to quitting and although I ma working out I see the steady weight gain, which is not helping the cause.
I am feel like I might prefer to smoke and at least be thin and happy. What's the use!
At Wed Sep 23, 09:05:00 PM 2009,
proud said…
I quit chewing Copenhagen five months ago. I chewed a can a day, and had a dip in my mouth at all times. It seems I related chewing tobacco with just about everything I did in life. I used Chantix to assist me in quitting, and like everybody else I battled moments of withdraw/depression. In short I learned in order to drop this habit and beat depression I would need to replace it with another habit. I started working out and now I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. I also started activities that I don’t regularly do, such as reading, gardening, and meditation. I feel so much better that I have quit and there is no looking back for me now. Good luck to you all… you know you can do it!!! “Pain is weakness leaving the body”.
At Thu Sep 24, 05:35:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
Well done Proud!!!
I hope evryone here can make through to the good times. They are inevitable if you keep trying!:)
At Fri Sep 25, 04:35:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
9-30-08 i decided to live smokefree. i had smoked for about 26 years, heavy, pack to pack and 1/2 a day. i have posted here over the year and have related to everyone and their difficulties, depression, worhtlessness, anger, irritability and so on and so on. some days felt like they would never end, some days i wanted nothing more then my lungs to fill up with smoke, some days i knew a cigarette would make evrything in my life better. i am a few days short of my 1 year anniversary and am so proud of myself for not once giving in. i am 43, have lost 25 lbs and can run 6 miles without breathing heavy. i cannot believe it is a year, i stil have a post it in my room "i pledge not to smoke today" it has always been, and will always be, one day at a time. to those in the early stages dealing with the horrible withdrawel and feeling of despair and the wanting to just smoke, PLEASE, you are stronger than a cigarette, your will power is stronger than you know. breathe, relax, it will pass. you are in control. you are worth living a healthy life. god bless and good luck to all quitting that evil habit
At Mon Oct 05, 05:09:00 PM 2009,
Frank G said…
I quit smoking 4 weeks ago after reading The Easyway. This was the first time I did it cold turkey. I was a pack a day smoker for 15 years. I don't miss smoking however I DO MISS happiness. I have become so depressed I fear that I will not be able to function in work soon. It's difficult to have a normal conversation with anyone because I am so jumpy and agitated I might punch someone in the face if the wrong thing is said. I desperately hope that with the 4th week behind me, that maybe things will start looking up. I have had thoughts of suicide and my mind alters so drastically these days. I will not smoke again however. I think the guilt of smoking just one will be worse than what I am going through now. I have gained weight as I do not stop eating. I will tackle that issue beginning tomorrow by going to the gym regularly. It's good to hear stories from people who are going through this. I have felt so alone in this.
At Sat Oct 10, 08:53:00 AM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I started to quit in July of 09 with chantix. Took the Chantix July and August started my third box begining of Sept. By this time I had not touched a cigarette since Aug 10th. I started getting very mean and angry and the words I would say do not need to be said. I stopeed taking the chantix the beggining of September thinking that was the problem. But then set in the depression on top of the anger. I blam my self for everything and cry at anything. I get up everyday, but want to be in bed by 70 0every night. The doctor gave me clonazaepam for the anger in September. But now I think the crying is more then the anger. I seriously am thinking that it would just be better to smoke. At least then I want to get out of bed.
At Sun Oct 11, 12:20:00 PM 2009,
Jenniffer said…
ANYONE ELSE DIZZY? -- I am at 10 weeks not smoking cold turkey after 1-1.5 packs a day for 25+ years. I am so dizzy most days I can barely function. Some days the dizziness is so bad I want throw up. The dizziness comes and goes but is not getting any better. Out of all these posts only 2 mentioned dizziness. Did anyone else experience this? If so, when did it go away... or did it? My closest friend who encouraged me to quit offers to get me cigarettes now because she can see how terrible I feel. I just need to know when it goes away. I can not live in a spinning world forever. It is not worth it. Please tell me how long this lasted for you. Thanks!!!
At Sun Oct 18, 08:33:00 PM 2009,
Anonymous said…
I am really glad I found this site. I quit smoking 14 days ago and I am REALLY having a hard time with the depression...I am miserable and so unhappy. I can relate to so many of the comments made on this site.
I talked to my doctor on day 13 and he prescribed Zyban for me so I'll see how it works for me. It may work for some, may not for others. I can really relate with a couple of you....if I don't feel better soon, I'm just going to have a cigarette to feel better. I hate feeling this way.
Someone mentioned a little bit about Lexapro...yes, it definitely flattens your emotions. No Lows anymore, but no high's either...you're just a walking robot, no emotions. I took it after my son was born for post-pardom depression and after nine months I wanted to LAUGH again and I wanted to CRY again. Something in it just shuts all emotions off.
Thanks to everyone here who has posted. It has really made me feel like I am not the only one in this boat.
At Wed Oct 28, 04:22:00 PM 2009,
Rod Khoey said…
Im just over 2 week's in ! Dealing with the cravings hadn't been that bad, but the last week til now I was feeling very very depressed, hopeless and worthless.
I'm also male & 21 FIY, I was feeling very sad and was ready to burst into tears multiple times during a day at work, thinking how much better things would be if I was simply DEAD!,
I knew life was good but no matter what I thought, didn't think it was linked to quiting and the cravings simply werent that bad.
So I googled "quiting smoking causing depression" and found this post.. WOW what a boost this thread has given me, I read every single post, and found alot of comfort in the the words of others going through the same miserable sadness! Istantly I felt better as It seemed to TAG the depression so I knew what it was, rather than just thinking im generally down,
Im booked into see a shrink today, hopefuly he can give me some meds
to help me more.,
If your feeling bad, print out this entire post and read every comment. You will feel better.
Thanks to everyone here and togeather we can all stay smokefree
PEACE!
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