Many current and ex smokers are wondering about depression when they quit. More and more, modern research is finding that depression and cigarette smoking are co-existing factors. Fortunately, they don't have to be. Although depression usually precedes cigarette smoking, there are ways to beat both at the same time.
Smoking is More Common Among Depression Patients
Several recent studies have indicated that those of us who smoke tend to suffer from depression more frequently than the general population. Chemicals in the cigarettes, including nicotine, tend to alleviate the feeling of depression both by acting as anti-depressants and stimulating the nervous system.
Although current medical research does not indicate such, cigarettes also cause damage in the pre-frontal cortex which may be similar to that of depression. This makes quitting all the more important. Unfortunately, depression patients are only about half as likely to succeed in quitting as non-depressives.
How to Cope with Depression When Quitting
The first choice of action then for a depressive attempting to quit smoking is to alleviate your depression. This can be done in several ways.
1. Consider the fact that you are quitting – and all the positive benefits this has to offer you. Your health will improve. Your appearance will improve, you will have more time with friends and family, you will have more money to do things with. Track your progress and make it visible every day.
2. Go outside in the sun. Sunlight has proven effects on our brains and the balance of neurotransmitters within them. It will improve your mood.
3. Engage in physical activity. This can be work, exercise, fun, anything that gets you moving. Like sunlight, it will improve your mood tremendously with the added benefit of acting as a distraction from tobacco.
4. Seek council from a therapist or doctor if your not shy and consider taking medication temporarily to relieve symptoms. Some medications work both for reducing nicotine cravings and depression, like Zybana.
5. Develop a support network. With modern technology, this can either be in real life or on the Internet! You can develop an entire social support group online. What's important is to have people you can talk to when your lonely and thinking about smoking, or any other time. A good social network will help you focus on other things which are much more positive.
Take the First Step in Helping Yourself During Depression
It is important to understand there are steps you can take when dealing with depression as a side effect of quitting. Usually the hardest part is taking the first action. Once you're able to get out and move around addressing it with one of the previous options becomes much easier. This is where a social support network can really help – when you don't feel like moving, someone else can get you up. Failing that – simply set alarms and reminders for yourself, and chart your progress in a big, obvious way.
