[DechanDawa]

I am not sure of this but I feel like my latest episode of major depression may have been triggered by giving up nicotine.

I smoked cigarettes for many years and continually tried to quit. Almost 20 months ago I succeeded. I quit cigarettes but was on nicotine patches. About 4 months after quitting cigarettes I gave up the nicotine patches and gum. At that time I started to have severe panic attacks.

I worked with guided meditation tapes, and took herbal supplements and eventually the panic attacks subsided. I was very happy about this because it was frightening to have these attacks.

I don't crave cigarettes, don't hang out with people who smoke, and don't miss the habit.

However, it does seem that my latest major depression began after I quit smoking.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[mindwrench]

When I gave up smoking, I also noticed depression and anxiety were worse. The mental crutch that cigarettes gave me was comforting, like no matter how bad things were, I could always slip away to find a quiet spot and burn a few smokes. I think nicotine causes anxiety, compared to having no addiction or use of it. But the mental connection to smoking, the anticipated relief of lighting up and pulling on it. It's like caffeine (my drug of choice thee days). It increases anxiety, but does seem to lift me a little when depressed. Sigh! I want a smoke now, like i always have since I quit.

[LucyG]

There could be some sort of nutritional deficiencies going on that are causing the depression such as low magnesium. Google 'does quitting cigarettes cause depression' and see what you find. If this is common, I'm sure you'll find posts and articles about it with possible explanations. Also try alternative health sites like Natural News and see if they have any info on this.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by mindwrench

When I gave up smoking, I also noticed depression and anxiety were worse. The mental crutch that cigarettes gave me was comforting, like no matter how bad things were, I could always slip away to find a quiet spot and burn a few smokes. I think nicotine causes anxiety, compared to having no addiction or use of it. But the mental connection to smoking, the anticipated relief of lighting up and pulling on it. It's like caffeine (my drug of choice thee days). It increases anxiety, but does seem to lift me a little when depressed. Sigh! I want a smoke now, like i always have since I quit.

I am sorry you still have the cravings.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by LucyG

There could be some sort of nutritional deficiencies going on that are causing the depression such as low magnesium. Google 'does quitting cigarettes cause depression' and see what you find. If this is common, I'm sure you'll find posts and articles about it with possible explanations. Also try alternative health sites like Natural News and see if they have any info on this.

Thanks. I have been on a ketogenic diet and they say to take magnesium. So I will definitely try this.

[bronzeowl]

Cause? I'm not sure. But the withdrawals alone can exacerbate depression and anxiety. Nicotine becomes a mental crutch. It is often a stress reliever for the smoker (even though once the cigarette is out, it's a stressor like all addictions). Losing the addiction means having to deal with the stressors that caused you to light up in the first place. When I quit, I struggled finding other ways to cope with my anxiety. To this day when my anxiety is really bad I crave a cigarette.

[DechanDawa]

I think that kind of answers my question. I think I read somewhere that nicotine does act as an antidepressant in the brain. I am not talking about withdrawal because I think I went through that in the first 6 months.

I am going to try vigorous exercise. I have been depressed since I quit smoking. But I would never go back and I don't have cravings. I don't think about smoking when I get stressed.

Maybe I was depressed before and the smoking masked it. All I can say is that it takes a long time to adjust after quitting...and for those on this thread who have stayed quit...job well done! Thumbs up! Don't ever go back.

[Lost_in_the_woods]

Congratulations!! Even if u don't feel well atm.. BE PROUD!! You've made it so far...just keep swimming!!

[Unrigged64072835]

Congratulations on quitting and staying quit. I have gone over a year now as well.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by Fharraige

Congratulations on quitting and staying quit. I have gone over a year now as well.

Congratulations to you! I had several "quit partners" but they all went back to smoking. I wouldn't do that because I will always remember how difficult it was to quit. I NEVER want to go back there.

However, I have read that people do go back to smoking after a year, two years, five years...even 20 years. That is just very bad. And sad.

Stay vigilant, Fharraige. Breathe deep and be grateful!

PS I am beginning a running training program this week to go from couch to half-marathon. This is something I could only dream of as a smoker! Now I can make it happen! That's pretty exciting. Maybe I need a new goal to take myself away from ruminations about quitting smoking....

[Nervouswreck564]

Originally Posted by DechanDawa

I am not sure of this but I feel like my latest episode of major depression may have been triggered by giving up nicotine.

I smoked cigarettes for many years and continually tried to quit. Almost 20 months ago I succeeded. I quit cigarettes but was on nicotine patches. About 4 months after quitting cigarettes I gave up the nicotine patches and gum. At that time I started to have severe panic attacks.

I worked with guided meditation tapes, and took herbal supplements and eventually the panic attacks subsided. I was very happy about this because it was frightening to have these attacks.

I don't crave cigarettes, don't hang out with people who smoke, and don't miss the habit.

However, it does seem that my latest major depression began after I quit smoking.

Has anyone else experienced this?

That's very unlikely

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by Nervouswreck564

That's very unlikely

Do you have an experience to share?