topic Increased depression after quitting smoking in Depression

Increased depression after quitting smoking

Myshelle — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 21:37:34 GMT

Hello everybody

I quit smoking just over 2 months ago and in honesty I did not find it as bad as I thought it would be.

But with each passing day my depression and anxiety is worsening. I have spoken to my Dr who naturally told me that this is normal.

I hate the way I am feeling but I just cannot pick up that first cigarette no matter how much I want to, I gave up due to the cost more so than my health. I had smoked for 46 years and was a very heavy smoker 35-50 per day.

I feel myself slipping further and further down that dark hole and having less and less interest in most aspects of my life. Everything has become an effort again.

I am retired due to a work injury so I do have long days, I read a lot, well everyday, that does help.

I push myself to tidy up the house etc, I don't watch TV but do listen to talk back radio.

I am in different groups on Facebook but don't spend a long time on there.

My only other thinking was whether to try the Electronic Cigarettes, but then I guess that would still be classed as an addiction , so I really am at a loss.

Hoping someone who has perhaps been in the same boat may be able to offer some good advice.

Thankyou

Increased depression after quitting smoking

white knight — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 10:35:51 GMT

Hi Myshelle, welcome

You really have done well. I smoked for 10 years then cold turkey. Havent had a smoke for 30 years.

Expect this to be a transition period. You can do it, keep going. If you have one smoke then you are really back to square one and will need to go another 8 weeks to get where you are now. Its an incredible challenge.

My best idea at that time was a hobby. Model airplanes were there all the time to glue, cut and design so when a craving came I went there. My wife has adult colouring in books, has delved into tapestry and does suduko. All things to keep her mind active.

Good luck

Tony WK

Increased depression after quitting smoking

geoff — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 18:23:42 GMT

dear Myshelle, love your puppie.
To give smoking after 46 years and I'm not going to say how much money that would be, because it really means little at the moment, as someone could calculate how much they have spent on buying take-away food or coffee, the amount is worthless, but by all means do see how much you're spent, but what does it actually mean.
It's a massive achievement and I can well and truly understand that you could be depressed, because you're lost a friend basically, something that you always used to comfort you.
If you want to start e-cigarettes then this habit hasn't been broken, simply because you are relying on it to try and make you feel better, plus there's a cost involved.
2 months is almost there if you can get your mind off the cigarettes, it's going to be easy, just as someone giving up the alcohol, as they have used it to be their friend or to numb their depression, like I did, but I can't and certainly don't want to drink all day long, mostly because of medical reasons and I would the taste of it in my mouth 24/7.
It would cause me to have epileptic fits and because I have 'general tonic' there's no way I would ever want to have these ever again.
Try and get out of the house, because if you stay in there all day, then that's where you would have lit a smoke as often as you wanted, however is your depression from giving up the smokes or are you generally feeling depressed, I would think both, and if this is so then please you need to go and see your doctor, and perhaps he/she may decide to put you on antidepressants (AD).
Can I ask how your work injury is affecting. Geoff.

Increased depression after quitting smoking

blondguy — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 20:55:56 GMT

Hi Myshelle

Geoff & Tony have both got this so right.

I just wish to say congratulations to you for having the guts to have done so well

I still smoke and envy you. You are strong

Cheers

Paul

Increased depression after quitting smoking

Myshelle — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 22:13:06 GMT

Thank you Tony, Geoff and Paul for your replies.
Here I am another morning and so far have not given into the nicotine.

I am already on anti depressants and my Dr just encourages me to keep on
keeping on when I mentioned this depression to her a couple of weeks
ago.

However it has worsened, I phoned Beyond Blue for a chat yesterday which helped
and was advised to go back to the Dr so I will if this does not improve
by the end of this week.
I have thought about those coloring books Tony and reckon I will have a
go they say it is relaxing. Good on you too kicking this damned
addicting habit if only we had known years ago how bad and addictive the
fags are.

Paul seriously I never thought I could do it and I feared quitting and this
is what surprises me now as I stopped on a day I had not even planned. I
still have 2 cigs left in the pkt I was smoking and a new pack.
Someone told me to tell myself to see how long I could go without a smoke, but not tell myself I could never have another cig.
I guess that definitely worked for me.

Yes Geoff it is like kicking the booze habit and I did that 12 years ago and have never had the inclination to drink since.
Hmm reckon I must have a addictive personality.
Workcover deemed me unable to return to work and were supposed to pay me until I
retired. that was until the SA Govt changed the rules last year and
thousands like me were given a choice of 2 years payments or a equal
lump sum. I took the money and ran which was a huge anxiety relief for
me.
I miss working terribly and yes still get depressed over that.

Michelle

Increased depression after quitting smoking

blondguy — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:50:54 GMT

Hi Michelle

Thankyou for your kind and heartfelt reply

I miss working too. I was made redundant on Jan 15th just before Monday the 18th. (Paul..we need the company car keys..the ipad..the laptop...our intellectual property etc etc...)

I have learned some new tips on giving up the cigarettes because of your topic...and thankyou Michelle

I am in my '50's and am very well aware that Cigarettes are a 'Reliable' road to health problems. No issue there.

The strongest people I have known (not me..) are the ones that give up the fags....and then take them back up again.....and then quit again....It is not a matter of finality...Its the lack of will to 'keep on quitting' even after a relapse. I deliberately dont use the word 'hate' in my vocabulary as it is a 'High Level' energy word (for me)

But I do hate cigarettes Michelle....especially mine....When 'I am up to it'....I will try again to do so 🙂

There are many wonderful people here that have an 'addictive' personality....I am only one of them.

I do hope your Wednesday is good to you

Kind Thoughts

Paul

Increased depression after quitting smoking

Myshelle — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 01:07:47 GMT

So sorry to hear of your forced redundancy, I wonder where our world is going sometimes. I was mid 50s when I injured my shoulders at work and ended up on the dreaded Workcover. There is nothing worse than not being able to work when you still want to and apart from that the financial aspect.

I never hated my smokes or smoking I loved smoking haha. BUT I cannot afford or justify my habit @ 35-50 smokes per day. I actually can't still believe I gave the Nicotine the flick. However going back to the day I made this first post it really was a bad , bad day for me. So I will be very honest here I did order an eCig, there is no nicotine.

Soon as I ordered Did I feel guilty NO, I actually felt better and it arrived the very next day, yesterday. So I got it together still chewing on my Nicabate gums watched a lot of videos on it and read more and took the plunge

A couple of puffs sufficed me, then the rest of the day a calm me and back chewing my gum. I have had a few puffs this morning as mornings are my worst. I will not allow myself to feel guilty because I still have not picked up a real smoke.

I told my daughter what I had done when she came in from work, she did not have an issue with it and said well you could of smoked I would not know! But aah I said" but I would".

Don't stress yourself Paul over quitting, you may one day when you feel up to it.

Hang in

Cheers Michelle

Increased depression after quitting smoking

white knight — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 02:44:33 GMT

Wow, what a great thread this has turned out to be.

I'm well aware that ex smokers are the worst to give advice to smoker trying to give up. So take this idea or throw it aside.

I find the physical actions of a challenge easier than the mental side. So having said that Michelle.....grasp those two cigarettes and the unopened packet, get a pair of scissors, cut them up!!

By not destroying them those cigs hold power. You are thinking through your addiction that they might just come in handy one day WHEN you return to smoking. And as cigs are of no health benefit don't give them to someone else!!

Paul, I know its hard. When its time. You'll have a lot of support here.

Tony WK

Increased depression after quitting smoking

Myshelle — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 23:34:41 GMT

Hi Tony,

Thank you for your reply, I had not really given much thought to the smokes still there but you are right and I will get rid.

I am coming along ok at the moment and have had not more than a couple of puffs on my ecig

I am an avid reader of about 6 books a week real books, and while I have had my bit of turmoil this week I have spent even more time reading.

For me reading is my escape as I am not a TV watcher

Cheers

Michelle

Increased depression after quitting smoking

blondguy — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 01:43:09 GMT

Thankyou Michelle and Tony 🙂

Great ideas on here. The offer of support is greatly appreciated

Paul