Depression After Quitting Smoking

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ncolwell

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Well, it's been 24 days since I've had a cigarette. I'm really proud of that accomplishment, and to be honest, it's been a LONG time since I have been able to say I've gone with an analog this long.

Almost two weeks ago, I got a pretty serious cold. I just felt lousy all day long, for a long time. I understood that my lungs needed to get clear, and that it would take some time. I had been smoking on and off for about seven years. I know that's not 30 years, like some of you, but I also grew up in a house that was always filled with smoke because my parents smoked so much. They still do. One right after another.

The past few days, I've really struggled with being motivated to get moving in the mornings. In fact, today I almost just decided to stay in bed all day long and not do anything. I knew I couldn't do that though. Especially if I wanted to fight being depressed. I just feel like sitting around all day, doing nothing.

Most of the time, I'm vaping 18 mg 50/50 e-juice. I don't really get cravings that much. Mainly first thing in the morning. A few minutes of vaping makes them go away.

It doesn't help that I'm having issues with my mother at this time, either. She's another thread altogether...

I guess I just want to know if anyone here experienced feeling depressed after you quit smoking. What made it better?
 

CreepyLady

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There are chemicals in cigarettes that you are no longer getting that can certainly cause this. It wouldnt hurt to see your Dr, especially if it begins to genuinely interfere with your life. Some are considered "beneficial" additives...

This Psych Central - Depression and Smoking explains it well.

"Individuals with underlying or current depressive symptoms are more likely to experience mood disturbances when they attempt to quit. Furthermore, it appears that smoking may mask an underlying depression in some smokers. "
 

djsvapour

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I'm vaping less and less and at lower strength too. It doesn't help with my depressive tendencies, no. Not at all actually.

Maybe it's possible there are millions of borderline depression candidates out there who manage to keep themselves perked up with nicotine.
(but I don't know enough about it.... just my experience).

Sorry to hear about this.
 

TenderMoon

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In December I decided to toss the cigs and switch over to vaping after smoking a very long time. I found it extremely difficult. I was sad and depressed and felt as if I was mourning the loss of an old friend. After two weeks I caved and started smoking again. This time around it's going better and I've been smoke free for almost six weeks. I think the intelligent, rational side of me finally won over the insistent voice of my addiction. Giving up smoking is hard, very hard, and you really have to want it. Good luck!
 

bennie2

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I also felt this way when I quit cigarettes even though I had limited cravings. I found that I missed the first cigarette in the morning (which I had as soon as I woke up). It seemed like there was no other reason to get up at first. I also found that I was using too much nicotine at night (18mg) and I wasn't sleeping well which affected my mood. I dropped to 12 mg at night and this helped my sleep quite a bit. Are you sleeping normally at night? If not, you may want to try a lower nicotine level at night to help that--and you might feel better in the morning.

Good luck with quitting! Hang in there, it does get better.
 
It's fairly normal, but by no means does everybody experience it.

In my case, I'm clinically depressed and medicated for it. When I quit, I crashed and had to go to the doctor for a medication adjustment (which he told me might happen). A few weeks later I was fine again, and since I knew what was causing it, it was tolerable.

Most people will find the depression fading on its own. If it doesn't, or you find it overly bothersome, please see a doctor immediately. Short term or longer term, there are plenty of medications that can get you over the hump.

Like djsvapor noted, there are probably a lot of borderline depressives out there smoking to self-medicate--because it works. I certainly did, but I'm far from borderline.

Again, I stress, if you find this is an issue, please see your doctor immediately. Depression isn't fun, I lived with it for years, and these days there's no reason to do so.
 

2naphish

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In December I decided to toss the cigs and switch over to vaping after smoking a very long time. I found it extremely difficult. I was sad and depressed and felt as if I was mourning the loss of an old friend. After two weeks I caved and started smoking again. This time around it's going better and I've been smoke free for almost six weeks. I think the intelligent, rational side of me finally won over the insistent voice of my addiction. Giving up smoking is hard, very hard, and you really have to want it. Good luck!

you have discovered the key to success with stopping smoking.... you really have to want to quit. some folks like me have to have their feet to the fire before realizing there is no future with cigs... hopefully others will realize this in a big way before it is too late. IMO you have to embrace the positive aspects of your life without cigs ( darn few negatives). and carry on living out the opportunities you have with a healthier lifestyle. hope springs eternal..live it.
 

ncolwell

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Thanks for your input, everyone.

I will check out those links.

Bennie2, I think I sleep OK at night once I get to sleep. Sometimes it takes me a while to go to sleep, but I usually don't wake up again until the alarm goes off.

Schleppcar, thanks for the congrats. I feel really happy about my decision. In fact, every time I smell cigarette smoke, it makes me sick to my stomach, and I get a headache. I go to my parents' house (they still smoke heavily) and I feel like I need to take a shower when I leave there because of the stench. I truly feel like the cig habit is finally broken.

It's about stinkin' time! (pun intended)
 

Katya

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I suffer with depression and am on meds,when i first stopped smoking and vaping it was hard but long term i think it helps ease depression at a dif % for each person ive been vaping 18months and can say its helped me some and my gp agrees to what degree is hard to say!

Glad to hear that you're doing better. We are all different. If you can stop smoking and keep your depression in check at the same time, that's really nice! Much luck!
 

3mg Meniere

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A long time ago, I was told that physical illness contributes to depression. When I quit smoking and started vaping, I became a bit more depressed. However, once I began to overcome most of the physical effects from smoking, my mind also felt better. Especially recently, when I began to get more physically active.
 
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Katya

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Physical illness contributes to depression. Quitting smoking is difficult because there is often depression in the beginning. However, once the body overcomes most of the physical effects from smoking, the mind feels better, too. Especially if the person begins to get more physically active.

Yup. Exercise is just as good as smoking. It's all about dopamine and other feel-good hormones. :D
 
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