Has anyone suffered from depression after giving up smoking?

[bowannabow]

I'm suffering badly and don't know whether it is directly related. It does seem to happen when the nicotine leaves my body though as this had happened before and I ended up starting again. Please cab anyone offer advice?

thanks

[Amara]

Firstly, congratulations on your decision to give up, you will not regret it, but it is very difficult particularly if you have been a long term/heavy smoker. The withdrawal effect is twofold - first you have the addiction to nicotine and second the habit to kick. So you need to tackle both, you can try the traditional methods if you are struggling with the "cold turkey" effect, so you can get patches, gum or sprays to give you a more gradual weaning from the drug. Your GP should be able to help with this. You should up your intake of Vitamin C and iron and drink lots of water. Secondly the habit, it is a fact that the craving passes after four minutes so as soon as you feel it coming on distract your brain with another activity. Read a book, go for a walk, jigsaw puzzle, music whatever you feel like, and I promise the craving will pass. Avoid places like pubs where people smoke and you will not be so tempted, believe me after a while it will repulse you anyway. You can also give yourself little incentives, save the money and treat yourself to something nice each week. The most important thing to remember is to take one day at a time and not try to imagine your whole life in front of you without that little white stick. Just be pleased at the end of each day that you have not had a cigarette. This will be that best decision you ever made and you can do it. Good luck - Amara xx

[Ethel]

I did! I felt 'bereft' somehow, as if a big part of me was missing.

I persevered though - a course of anti-depressants helped enormously.

That was15 years ago, after smoking 40 a day. I've never regretted stopping - it was the best thing I ever did.

Good luck!

[cliffsdoll]

i've ben smoking since i was 12, now 48, been trying to stop for the last 12-15 years and feel tolly dreadful every time, the longest i've gone without a cig was 5 weeks then i give in again, good luck bowanabow, hope you do better than me, i'm still determined to do it though. be strong and you will do it eventually.

[electricblue]

i gave up when pregnant with all 3 of my kids,stopped for around 3 or 4 years then started again each time,I really wanna give up cos now my daughters started smoking and thats something i really DONT want if anyones got any good advice i'd love to hear it!!

[spaced]

no, I gave up 3yrs ago. Went through a rough stage for aboyt 3 weeks after. But havent looked back since and ios the best thing i have ever done

[Jaf]

Yeah I did at first then found methamphetamine, you should try it available at most chemists.