Depression and quitting smoking.

[d2e8b8]

That is awesome, Robbie.  Well done!

[Gus]

Good for you Robbie! This is awesome! I am so glad that you are finally able to get out enjoy yourself too!

[Mee]

19 hours ago, Robbie said:

Think I passed my first 'socialising' test quite well! Proud of myself!

Great job Robbie.  Once you quit, you can smell that smoke wafting past from miles away.  Our noses may be more sensitive but the old familiar senses kick in.  We are addicts and will always have to be on guard.  Standing strong while facing our addiction is what great quits are built on. 

[IQ4me]

On 4/9/2021 at 6:37 AM, Robbie said:

Hi, my name is Robbie (female) and I live in Australia. I Googled 'quit smoking forums' and didn't find much in Australia, so have ended up here; I guess the journey off nicotine is much the same the world over anyway! I have stopped smoking a few times especially this year and mostly just last a few days or weeks...my best effort was 40 days before a 'friend' offered me a cigarette and I stupidly took it and smoked it. I've been using a nicotine spray in the mouth which seems to help although I have only stopped three days ago. My biggest problem is terrible depression when I'm off the cigarettes. I basically cry a lot and feel very low in mood and spirits, so of course this is happening again but this time I'm going to 'tough it out' as best I can. I don't have any support people around me and it gets very hard at times. My addict brain tells me just to go and buy a packet, because unfortunately they do help lift the depression temporarily, but I have a multitude of health problems related to too many years of smoking. Already I find my breathing is better, but I'm very, very tearful! I mentioned it to my doctor during my last attempt but he didn't seem particularly interested and wasn't helpful. I'm sure others would have had this depression, I'm not especially irritable, just crying a lot most days. Any thoughts from other quitters? Thanks 

Hello @Robbie Welcome!! You're gonna love it here if not already. 

[Robbie]

I have just been re-reading some of my earlier posts...man, it's been a rocky road alright! So pleased that I feel I'm over the worst of quitting, no way would I want to go through all that again. Of course there will still be challenges, but the days of crying seem to be past. Some days I deal with seasonal depression as the sun doesn't shine for a week or more and my spirits plummet. Fortunately there is more live music around again, so for now I am out there enjoying myself! Who knows, we could be in lockdown again any day...this pandemic certainly makes us 'seize the day' and make the best of the good times when we can. Glad to be doing this without a cigarette in my mouth!!!

[jillar]

What an awesome update @Robbie  I used to read all my first posts every monthaversary just so I wouldn't forget where I came from!  I agree, it was great motivation to keep my quit

 

[Gus]

This is great @Robbie!

[d2e8b8]

Well done @Robbie, almost 3 months!

 

Btw, 3 months is when things start to feel a bit normal and we start to feel a bit comfortable with the quit.  Please stay alert because the demon senses the guard being let down and chooses this moment to ambush attack.

[Doreensfree]

Your doing fine Robbie ...feel very proud ...

[Boo]

On 6/19/2021 at 9:15 PM, Robbie said:

I went outside to chat to a friend (the music was loud inside) and there were about 6 smokers and packets of cigarettes all over the table. I was pleased that I only took a mild interest in it all and that it didn't set off some mad, frantic craving. It would have been too easy to ask for cigarette, but it didn't enter my head. 

 

That was one of the pleasant surprises when I quit.  Other people smoking didn't lead to me craving a cigarette.  Frankly, I was indifferent to what the smokers were doing.

 

Other folks are going to do what they're gonna do, best to stick to your own path.

[Kris]

Hi Robbie,

I am new also. I am at ten days and I am proud of myself. I think I am a lot like you with the depression, anxiety, the anger the tears, the insomnia and for me some down right terror..  I think we are just overwhelmed right now with these things because we are doing this. I had to quit because of health issues that have come up that I caused.  I knew all this time I was hurting myself by smoking.  I just lied and lied to myself that if would not happen to me.  Guess what, if happened to me.  I am determined now. I can do this.  I also have no support, but we have found these wonderful people and can count on them to help us. I have found myself on a rollercoaster ride these last 10 days. It is kind that have the upside down loops and make you sick at your stomach.  These people are riding it with me, comfort me when I struggle and cheer me on when I have felt better to keep me going forward.  Just get everything out of the house that has to do with smoking.  Check your car, clean the ashtray, fill it with hard candy.  I have not gone in to a store that has cigarettes to avoid temptation. I order my groceries online and just pick them up. I am lucky that I am retired so I don't that extra stress. If I don't sleep well I can take a nap.  I try to avoid that because I don't sleep well at night if I nap.  I have found it is helping to have a schedule, time to get up and time for bed. Right now I am driven to want to eat so I have even set a time for meals. YOU CAN DO THIS, SO CAN I, WE JUST HAVE TO RIDE THE RIDE UNTIL ITS DONE!

K