Hello Everyone, I'm Diana

[Diana]

I have tried to quit smoking so many times. I always go back to it when I can't stand the depression any longer.  I could handle this if I knew the depression would go away eventually, but so far I haven't been able to go longer than a few weeks.  My husband quit cold turkey about 20 years ago.   He says "just do it, put it out of your mind and you will be fine in a week". I hate to break it to him, but nobody could stand to be around him for about 2 years after he quit.  I am by nature a very easy going person.  I don't get depressed.  I may get sad if a certain situation warrants it, but then I look at all the good things in my life and I'm fine.  Quitting smoking does something to my brain.  The depression is awful.  I used to wonder what it was all about, all the commercials for anti-depressants.  I would wonder why they didn't focas on the good things instead of the bad. Now I understand.  

 

My father died of a heart attack when he was just 59.  He was a 2 pack a day smoker.  My mother died from lung cancer when she was 72, she was also a 2 pack a day smoker.  My aunt, also a heavy smoker,  died of lung cancer at the age of 72 after surviving a massive heart attack when she was in her late 60's. I do not want to follow them down the same road.  

 

Thanks for listening,

 

Diana

[joe]

Hey Diana.. Welcome to the Quittrain!

We are here to offer whatever support we can to help you throu the rough times on your way to becoming smoke free.

 

The loss of people who were close to you as a result of smoking is unfortunately a direct result of smoking...not an exception, but the rule. Everyone who smokes, suffers some sort of adverse health effects from it. The best thing you can do for yourself is to do whatever is needed to break the grip that being addicted to nicotine has on you... It IS a drug addiction and you have to battle it like it is.

The depression is a result of the effect that the nicotine has on your brain. Your brain is now "wired" to think that you are only happy if you get your fix....and you know that isn't REALLY true, but, that's what your brain screams when you deprive it of nicotine.

 

I have heard that Allan Carrs "The Easy Way" is a great book to read to understand hat goes on when you are quitting smoking...I highly recommend it.... In fact, I recommend reading anything that educates you on nicotine addiction...that's the first step in a successful quit. There is a lot of information posted here, along with a lot of videos...

 

Again, welcome , and congratulations on a great descision.

[Doreensfree]

Hi and welcome aboard...you have had some sound advice of Joe...

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can ever do for yourself...Eventually the s***t will hit the fan.

Read up on this addiction...knowledge is the tool you fight with...also..

Keep busy...find a hobby...do jigsaws...anything to keep your mind on other things...

Stay close to the board..post..post...we will support you all the way...

Glad you found this wonderful place....

[beacon]

 

Hi Diana, when I quit, I did not get depressed.  Instead I turned into a raging maniac for quite awhile. There is a good quote a member has here in her signature line, "The best way out is always through." Or as another says "Embrace the suck."  Also, even if you feel bad, there are other reasons to feel good, such as improved breathing, smell, taste, feeling, better skin and teeth, all right away, and you can see it happening. I tried to do cardio, meditate, stay busy, clean, etc. to help feel better. ...Perhaps also talk to your dr about this and maybe he can help.  

 

Anyway, welcome! 

[El Bandito]

Hey Diana

 

Its an addiction. It has a hold - but you can break that hold.

 

I quit one day at a time. So - repeat after me.

 

Not

One

Puff

Ever

 

...just for today

 

Tomorrow - we'll do it again.

 

Quitting smoking has its ups, its downs. Sometimes, its even funny. Quit.

 

You can.

 

You might even enjoy it ;)  

[sgt.barney]

Depression is an excuse. Your excuse.

 

If you wanted to stay quit, you'd stay quit and have the depression dealt with medically. Sarge is a betting man and he's betting you're not doing a thing about it.

 

Instead, you want to smoke, so ... you do.

 

Stop that and you're quit for life.

 

Stop that.

 

Treat it(the depression) or die early like the rest of the smokers in your family.

 

You won't be successful until you admit you are leaning quite heavily on a mostly treatable excuse, and not doing a thing about it ... on purpose ... so you can rationalize smoking again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easy Peasy

[Boo]

Welcome aboard Diana.  You have received some great advice already, so I don't have much to add.

 

I will say this: if nicotine withdrawal leads to depression for you, I would advise that you stop poisoning yourself with nicotine at regular intervals throughout the day.  The only people who endure nicotine withdrawal forever are those who continue to smoke.  The cigarette is not the answer, it is the problem.

 

Commit.  Learn.  Set yourself free. 

[Sazerac]

We are all nicotine addicts.

Learn all you can about the addiction,

commit to NOPE,

post a lot.

Don't forget to have fun,

you are on the best of adventures.

[BAT]

Hi Diana and welcome.

[Runfree]

Hi Diana,

 

Welcome and Congrats on your decision to quit.  Many of us had attempted to quit a few times, many of us have lost loved ones to smoking and a few of us struggle in our quits for some time..and...today we are non-smokers and immensely happy about it.

 

You can do this. 

[Sazerac]

How is is going Diana ?

[Evelyn]

tabac, cigs, fags are no meds- AT ALL, they disguise as such but irl it's a lie called addiction, quit and find good meds for your depression. Hey I kicked myself under the butt too lady

[MarylandQuitter]

I have tried to quit smoking so many times. I always go back to it when I can't stand the depression any longer.  I could handle this if I knew the depression would go away eventually, but so far I haven't been able to go longer than a few weeks.  My husband quit cold turkey about 20 years ago.   He says "just do it, put it out of your mind and you will be fine in a week". I hate to break it to him, but nobody could stand to be around him for about 2 years after he quit.  I am by nature a very easy going person.  I don't get depressed.  I may get sad if a certain situation warrants it, but then I look at all the good things in my life and I'm fine.  Quitting smoking does something to my brain.  The depression is awful.  I used to wonder what it was all about, all the commercials for anti-depressants.  I would wonder why they didn't focas on the good things instead of the bad. Now I understand.  

 

My father died of a heart attack when he was just 59.  He was a 2 pack a day smoker.  My mother died from lung cancer when she was 72, she was also a 2 pack a day smoker.  My aunt, also a heavy smoker,  died of lung cancer at the age of 72 after surviving a massive heart attack when she was in her late 60's. I do not want to follow them down the same road.  

 

Thanks for listening,

 

Diana

 

Hi Diana!  Welcome aboard.  :)

 

You haven't wanted to go longer than a few weeks, it was a choice.  You listened to that inner junkie and bought into every excuse you were telling yourself.  I bet you're confusing depression with nicotine withdrawal but if you have depression, go see a doctor.  There is absolutely no shame in that and why not feel better?

 

Please watch this video.  I think it will help you connect some dots.

 

Quitting Smoking & Mental Health

This video discusses how most people experience minor emotional reactions when first quitting, but also how people with pre-existing mental health issues may need physician assistance in dealing with problems that seem to be exacerbated after quitting.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ysFk0-pQ3A&list=PL76365B6CE2DA076B

Related article:

Depression: A normal reaction or a real organic depressive effect: http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/12459

 

Related videos:

The emotional stages of loss:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk1ECG...

Using cigarettes to self medicate pre-existing conditions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVk2Ve...

Is anyone else experiencing the symptom:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EJ3Ot...

Is this a symptom of quitting smoking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw5jbj...

Life goes on without smoking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8nBjO...

[IndigoChilde]

I had a 3 month quit but my depression kept getting worse and worse until at the end of three months I was suicidal and started smoking again. Depression is really rough and can catch you off guard. I worked with a psychiatrist to manage my meds and now I'm not depressed anymore. I'm hoping as I keep with this quit I can keep my mood up. But I've got my doctor's number handy in case it happens again. It's best to discuss your quit smoking plan with a doctor and get depression treated early if possible. Have regular checkups with a psychiatrist if you can while you quit so that your depression is caught early and they can work with meds for you. Not any one pill does the trick. Sometimes they have to change medications a few times, and antidepressants take a few weeks to build up in your system, so you have to be prepared for that. Try to stay active and get some sunshine if possible. That will help with depression too.

[Sazerac]

Wating at the Station for you, Diana.

Jump on when you are ready.

 

[Evelyn]

Back to smoking?

[Evelyn]

Are you ready to take responsibility Diana?