Anxiety and panic after stopping smoking

[Shelton]

I've never suffered with anxiety or panic attacks before but after finally stopping smoking four months ago, I've been struggling with insecurity. All the books say the anxiety from nicotine withdrawal should have stopped by now so what am I left with?

Im seeing a psychologist and working closely with my GP but just wondered if anyone else struggled with this.

[pipsy]

Hi Shelton. I've never been a smoker, but I should imagine that stopping smoking would have the same withdrawal symptoms as an alcoholic who 'goes on the wagon'. The impulse to continue smoking would be extremely hard, especially when there are people who smoke everywhere you go. It would be almost impossible to find 'smoke free zones'. I think also withdrawal depends on the individual, same as grief. We all have our own way of dealing with difficult problems, nicotine addiction is powerful and if you're having difficulty dealing with the severity of the addiction, perhaps some sort of help might be beneficial. There are heaps of aids on the market for nicotine withdrawal. It might be an idea to start seeking aid for this. Books might tell you the statistics, but it doesn't talk about the emotions you deal with.

Lynda

[Greyhound123]

Hi Shelton,

Quitting smoking is very hard, It took me about 9 to 12 months to be completley over it and not want to smoke. Is your anxiety related to smoking or are you anxious about other things? Did you use any quitting aids? I know some can make you jittery, personally I used the patches and you can't sleep with them on, as they give you nightmares and vivid dreams (I had some crazy dreams). I belive some of the tablets can be pretty strong. Have you seen your DR?

[Shelton]

Hi Greyhound123,

I am seeing doctors and used medication to stop smoking. Dr opinion is I've always suffered anxiety but the smoking masked it. Now I have to learn to cope without it.

Australia Day 2016 is my quit date and your comment about 12 months before you were over it is kind of what I'm thinking. I'm looking forward to getting to my anniversary.

im just hoping the anxiety passes as I'm pushing people away at the moment because I'm scared I'm going to panic if we meet in public. Sounds silly as I've always been a sociable sort of person. Now I can't do crowds or noise.

im lucky I have good friends and family to help me through and give me support.

the feelings of insecurity are so foreign to me and hopefully I get over it soon and remain cigarette free!

[Greyhound123]

I was pretty nervous for the first 4-6 months about being anywhere near smoking, I think that's a natural thing. It could be the medication making you more anxious although I am no doctor. Personally for me I felt that the smoking exacerbated my anxiety massively, as opposed to masked it. As I was constantly anxious about e.g. when I would get to have a smoke next, how would i go on a long trip or see family if i couldn't smoke, the i would make excuses to go out for smoke. Every time I lit up i remembered that It was killing me, and that was for 9 years! Quitting was a massive turning point as you forget all of those problems and no more constant nicotine withdrawal. You have passed the hardest part anyway mate, it's all downhill from here I think.

[gnomadicmind]

Firstly congratulations on quitting!

I've been a bit over three months quit now. My partner was diagnosed with smoking related cancer - what better reason to give up? To support him and to help my own health.

I have a history of depression and anxiety and I know that giving up has made it worse although it's hard to differentiate between what's going on in my life now and what's related to having quit.

I do know that I am now addicted to nicotine patches. I know that I am as I thought that I was ready to stop using the patches and talking with the quit line they did too. Bad decision (for me anyway) I was an emotional wreck the days I didn't wear one. I have also forgotten to put a patch on on several occasions and had the same bad reaction on those days. In some ways it's rather amusing to be in this situation! So, what I am now doing is tapering off my the strengths of patches I am using. I hope to get to the point where I will be nicotine free. The depression and anxiety are not nice and to know it's caused by nicotine withdrawal is really compromising. I have the mental willpower to not start smoking again as I simply do not want to go through having to quit again. The first month was definitely the hardest, so hang in there! You've done really well! You've also validated my experiences having quit, so thank you for sharing your frustrations albeit it's not something I would wish upon anyone giving up!

[Ben1]

Hi Shelton!
From personal experience quitting smoking can be extremely difficult and I'm familiar with the feeling of anxiety that occurs when you can't have a smoke.

For me, nicotine gum and patches worked well, maybe they could work for you too?

[MissTwichy]

I have been smoke free for 9 months now and still can't seem to cope without the cigarettes.

My anxiety is up

My depression is up

My agoraphobia is at an all time high

My safety zone is now restricted to a radius of no more than 3kms of my house and the local hospital

I still have cravings all the time

I wake up from nightmares almost everyday

I have gained 15kgs.

I have terrible sinus headaches.

I have very little control over my emotions.

and I just feel overwhelmed and confused with no real direction or hope.

All I can think about is how cheated I feel because I have done something that was supposed to make my life better.

I know I'm supposed to be grateful for what I do have and practice gratitude and not be a whinger. But how

much can one be expected to endure in life?

Is there anyone else out there who is suffering or has suffered similar to this?

[geoff]

hello Miss Twichy, welcome to the site and thanks for posting your comment.
Can I ask you why do you want to stop smoking, and I'm probably going to go against the norm here from what I would normally say here, and expect to be criticised, that's OK if anybody wants to tell me off, I've got a hard skin now.
But when someone wants to stop drinking alcohol it's up to them to make that decision, because giving up just to please someone else isn't the answer, that's not what they really want to do.
The same applies for smoking whether you are stopping for health reasons, or your partner wants you to stop, or because it's costing too much money to maintain it.
So before I continue have you stopped because you wanted to. Geoff.

[blondguy]

Hi Miss Twichy

I heard a heart surgeon mention on radio that of course its a good idea to give up smoking, unless the person concerned is already in a bad place which can make their situation worse by doing so.

Geoff has some excellent advice above about the 'reality' on giving up smoking with the social pressure/bias.

That opera singer 'Pavarotti' was told to start smoking as his weight was so bad the smoking would have decreased his appetite thus saving his life. He refused to take up smoking and passed away 2 years later.

Like Geoff I might get told off here as well but the severity of your symptoms outweigh the harmful effects of smoking from my point of view

My Best

Paul