Anxiety...

[nsd_user663_5119]

Just wondered if you guys could help....as I have experienced before my nicodemon has decided he wants to play hard ball and has started playing mind games with me again. The last time I quit (18 months) about a month into my quit, I started to become very anxious and then focus on certain things which normally I would probably totally ignore and then basically obsess over them, causing worry and anxiety attacks and my brain was telling me that a cig would help and take away the stress!!

I am aware of what they are this time, which helps, but it doesn't make them any easier to deal with...anyone experience these weird symptoms which are trying to lure me back to the cigs? :confused:

[nsd_user663_16474]

Hi Embo,

I know exactly what you're talking about as I've experienced the same thing. I found that normal everyday problems that everyone has suddenly took on mammoth proportions and seemed insurmountable. I felt like I was going insane!!

I found just gritting my teeth and getting on with things as best I could is the way through it. I'm just about coming out the other side now but it's taken a couple of weeks.

It doesn't last forever Embo. Stay focussed on having a successful quit and you'll get through it.

Good luck!!

Ed xx

[nsd_user663_17596]

morning embo,

So sorry youre feeling crap right now. Can i ask you if you had anxiety before you started smoking originally?

Just asking because ive always been a worrier and have had problems with anxiety and panic attacks. smoking helped as it was a way of leaving a stressful situation (i.e. argument - then walk away and have a cig or on breaks at work)

This might not be your style but recently ive started doing meditation for 10 mins a day to help with my anxiety issues - all it is is sitting in a quiet room and concentrating on nothing but your breathing and blocking all 'busy' thoughts that are buzzing round your head all day without you noticing. Ive only started doing it for a few days now via reading on internet but found it helps.

Ed's right that it wont last forever it will get better just like the cravings after the first 3 days did. Nicotine has been a crutch for you to cope with anxiety and like you say - its just nicodemon playing mind games on you to try and get you to cave. You beat the physical nicotine withdrawal so now nicodemon is trying more desperate measures to win you back. Dont let the little shit win!!!

Stay strong you know you can beat this!!! Any more problems let us know!!!

HUGE well done for getting this far

Amy x x

[SuzanneZ]

There is that thought of ¨How will I cope without cigarettes?¨ It is only normal, and you can use any relaxation technique to help you through it

[nsd_user663_16887]

Sorry you feel that way Embo

I am totally amazed how well life can proceed without cigarettes, hehe, who would have thought!

It may also be that time of the year where anxiety and depression gets an easier hold on you due to reduced sunshine. See if taking some vitamin D supplements will help!

I know several people who have been through courses of different antidepressants and nothing helped them only to finally see that they had a simple vitamin D deficiency that could be helped fast and cheap

[nsd_user663_9220]

Hey Chick...

Grrrrrrrr @ at the nico demon and his silly mind games :mad:

It does pass hun so stay strong and ignore him!! A cig will certainly NOT take away these feelings im afraid, if anything make you feel worse because you gave in

I try and keep busy now ( easier said than done when you have no motivation)

Or i just simply have a good "f" and "blind" and all the stress goes for a while

Are you drinking plenty of water? If you look at the link on Jamangies sig, dehydration can cause these feelings too.

I am so proud of you hun for how far you have come, YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Snowie xx

[nsd_user663_7469]

Hi Snow you are so right about the water thingy, also a banana a day helps boost magnesium levels which help with the anxiety, remember though that that is what it is Anxiety which once your body gets back on an even keel it will shift, eat well exercise better and try to get enough sleep, when you have smoked for a while you cannot exspect to feel great straight away, you will soon though, promise.