I already suffer from depression.. how much worse will it get when I stop smoking?

[Tasha71]

I have already gradually cut down to less than half of what I smoked, and also switched to a lighter brand over the last 2 weeks. I did this so I did not get a huge drop in my mood by going cold turkey. My Doctor increased my AD dosage but the thought of sinking very low makes me very anxious. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[sue52 3 YEAR WINNER]

Hi Tasha, welcome to this site and well done for taking the first step towards a smoke free life, it is the best thing you can do for your health

You can get low moods when starting on this journey, but you get lots of ups as well, it's good that your doing this with your doctor as they'll give you lots of good support.

If you look through all the blogs and tags you'll get lots of help, any low mood won't last long, and you'll feel great when you come through it having not smoked, there are breathing exercises you can do to help you, especially if you get anxious. I'll try and find these for you

Emjay or Jarvo, our Advisors, will come on and help you, as will the other members, they'll have more knowledge than me on this

You can do this, and we'll help you all we can

I look forward to seeing you on the daily chat

[sue52 3 YEAR WINNER]

Hi Tasha, here is one breathing exercise i found that Emjay posted, hope it helps you

Cravings lead to irritation and sometimes panic, causing the quitter’s mind to speed up. When this occurs, concentrating becomes hard. Using a deep breathing exercise is an effective way of calming yourself down.

This exercise can be done anywhere from sitting down in a chair to waiting for a bus. Follow the simple stages described below;

With your mouth closed and shoulders relaxed, inhale deeply and slowly to the count of eight.

As you breathe in, push your stomach out.

Hold your breath for the count of four.

Breathe out slowly to the count of eight.

Repeat the cycle five times

DO NOT OVER DO IT – STOP IF YOU FEEL DIZZY

[Tasha71 in reply to sue52]

Hi Sue,

Thanks for the welcome and the advice This is my first attempt at quitting and I really want it to work, I just don't want to smoke anymore. Having previously been at an awfully low point in my life before, the thought of remotely going there again while I quit fills me with dread.. So I wondered if there were any other people on these forums who found themselves in a similar position.

I will use this breathing technique and scan through some other posts.

Thanks again

[sue52 3 YEAR WINNER]

Hi Tasha,

Not wanting to smoke anymore means you can do this cause your doing this when it's the right time for you, that's half the battle

I don't know if anyone else on here has been in a similar position to you but if there is they will help you.I know it is not easy but if you could try to not think this, it may not be as bad as your thinking, try if you can to think about the joy and pride you will have when you stop smoking, you'll be healthier and have more money :), maybe have a jar you can put save your money up in when you do stop, then you can treat yourself to something nice

I wish i could help you more but i don't have any experience of your situation, I'm sure more members will come and help you soon, we're all a friendly lot, come on to the daily chat and have a laugh, you'll see that we're all nuts, but it helps

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer]

Aup Tasha, its nice to see you

A big welcome to this lovely quit smoking site, as Sue has said everybody is so friendly and helpful, and we do have to odd laugh from time to time

Hmmmmm I'm afraid i'm like Sue don't know much about depression, but if you really do want to quit and beat the dreaded weed, then if you feel your getting a bit down in the dumps, then cheer yourself up by saying you've done it you've beat it and stand up proud and pat yourself on the back keep reminding yourself, YES you've done it

As Sue says come and have a chat with us on the Daily chat, hoping to speak soon

All the best on your quit Pete

[Tasha71]

Hi and thanks Pete.. I am really hoping this will work as I have battered my poor lungs for far too long, so am crossing fingers AND toes

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to Tasha71]

Tasha, I will cross my fingers & toes for you as well, but am sure I don't need to

Nite nite hope to speak again soon

[EmJay Partner]

Hi Tasha,

welcome aboard our lovely stop smoking community, a place where you'll be able to speak to others who may be going through the same as you in their stopping smoking journey.

Feeling a bit down, or getting the 'blues' when stopping smoking can happen. However, try and see it as a positive sign of recovery and that your body is just kicking up a fuss because you are not feeding it with the usual (over) 4,000 toxic chemicals that you would normally give it. They won't last forever.

Depending on the medication that you are on from your GP, it may be worth letting him/her know that you are quitting smoking so that they may be adjusted accordingly. You may also find (depending on which type again) that they may work more effectively for you once you quit.

Depression is a terrible condition to live with but it can be managed wth the right help.

It really is important that you stay positive and during the times that you do feel down, think to yourself that this feeling won't last forever. You are the one who is in control of how you are feeling and can change your mood at anytime just by how you think. Try and focus on 'what you say when you talk to yourself' - we all do it. However, depending on whether it is positive or negative will heavily influence our mood.

You really can do this, you just have to believe in yourself....

[Tasha71 in reply to EmJay]

Hi EmJay,

Thanks for your advice, and positive feedback. Not only do I have the support from my family, but I have you guys here now It really is 1 day at a time and dealing with each symptom if and when they arrive.

Thanks again.

[Tasha71]

Hello John, and thanks for your reply.

I am sorry for what you are going through with the loss of your wife, and I cannot imagine the feelings you may have to deal with daily. I am glad that you noticed my question and were able to help alleviate my main concern. I have visited so many websites trying to find more detailed info for people with depression but to no avail.

I was going to try to avoid NRT but I think I will speak to somebody at the NHS clinic and see if they think it may be more beneficial for me.

Many thanks, and I hope things get better for you also.

[EmJay Partner]

Hey Tasha,

just try and keep as positive outlook on life as you can. Sometimes it can throw some really unexpected things at us -Good and bad. However, its how we look at the situatioin that leads us to how we feel and then deal woth them.

Have a look at the following link as Health Unlocked have two other communities that support people living with depression;

healthunlocked.com/director...

I haven't had a look into them myself, let me know if they are of any help.

Thanks for sharing your experience John, much appreciated xx

Tasha, if you would like to know more about your local stop smoking service, PM me your postcode and I'll let you know the details. I may be able to refer you on to them too.

Keep smiling

[Wonder]

Hi Tasha,

When I was in my deepest depression I could not of even thought of stopping the smoking so first of all well done to you. Cutting down is still brilliant but breaking the habit does have so many positives. Try not to beat yourself up about being a smoker but also try not to think as smoking as a friend. Smoking is just an addiction and trying to free your mind from the fear of stopping can seem so hard. I have tried so many times in the past and have stopped but as soon as a bit of a crisis comes along, I would return to smoking. I really believed that smoking would help with my concentration and could some how calm me down. It doesn't. The only reason you feel relief is the sudden rush of nicotine. I smoked on and off all my teenage and adult life until the age of 41. I finally stopped smoking last Feb and the past 10 months have been amazing. Amazing because I have changed and beat the ciggy habit, I haven't given up anything, I stopped smoking and am now free.

I would recommend a book to read. I know it doesn't work for everyone but it really helped me. I bought it off ebay for a couple of quid and it is called Allen Carrs Easyway to stop smoking. It is a self help book that gets you understand why you smoke, plus you are under no pressure to stop smoking while you are reading the book. Also this method needs no will power and no nicotine substitutes so will not play havoc with taking anti-depressants.

I can also say that even though I am back on antidepressants, I feel so much more positive about being me. I don't feel such a failure and I always felt that non smokers looked down their nose at me. I just feel slightly taller and more confident and happier too.

Whatever method you try, stick at it and soon you will be free of the fags. Good luck and I wish you many good days ahead X x

[lanemorph 3 YEAR WINNER]

Hi Tasha, I too suffer from depression, so i had concerns about how quitting would affect me.

I have to say that i have coped okay. I quit on the 27th September. My worst day is on a Sunday but i have concluded that this is because, i work all week so, on Saturday i do chores and shop, and Sunday i don't do anything. So, Sunday nights i am an insomniac thinking manically and sinking to a real low. Last Sunday, i went out walking and visited a friend and this helped. I must confess, to prevent myself from caving in on a Sunday, i had a glass of whisky. The only all night store i know is 25 miles away, and by drinking the whisky, i knew i wouldn't drive. It will always be, a day at a time. Thankfullly, i have no cravings at all during the week. Good luck with your quitting. You have taken the most difficult step and i applaud you .