Vaping severe depression

[martha1014]

I have bipolar I (manic depressive) and have had depression so back I could not even get out of the bed. When I was manic I was ontop of the world (like being on some strong drug).

When I quit cigarettes and started vaping I did crave cigarettes but cut down to 1-2 a day. Eventually I quit cigarettes and now just use the electronic cigarette.

I did not experience any addtional depression. I am a firm believer that nicotine is the culprit that causes addictioin in cigarettes. How else was I able to completely quit cigarettes. In the past I also used a patch and did not smoke for a week with no physical withdrawals (just mental)

IMO cigarettes are as much a mental addictioin as it is a physical addiction.

 

[LilMew]

Every single time I tried to quit smoking, within 1 week I would get so depressed I couldn’t function. Since the people quitting with me didn’t have that problem I thought it was just me, which made me more depressed. At one point around 10 years ago I tried to throw myself from a moving car because I wanted a smoke so badly that I couldn’t see the point in living anymore if I couldn’t have one. I started again within 10 minutes of that.

Thank you to everyone that posted here. There is comfort in not being alone. I haven’t smoke in almost 2 weeks now and I’m watching for any little change in my mood. Hopefully vaping and being a part of this wonderful community will be the keys to my success this time!

 

[cozzicon]

Every single time I tried to quit smoking, within 1 week I would get so depressed I couldn’t function. Since the people quitting with me didn’t have that problem I thought it was just me, which made me more depressed. At one point around 10 years ago I tried to throw myself from a moving car because I wanted a smoke so badly that I couldn’t see the point in living anymore if I couldn’t have one. I started again within 10 minutes of that.

Thank you to everyone that posted here. There is comfort in not being alone. I haven’t smoke in almost 2 weeks now and I’m watching for any little change in my mood. Hopefully vaping and being a part of this wonderful community will be the keys to my success this time!

God I'm in the same boat with you. I suffered horribly with quit attempts- and the damned cigs even contributed to my wife leaving me.

Vaping seems to be easier than my other attempts and I'm at the 15 day mark now.

All I can say is hang in there. My experience so far seems to indicate that vaping will be successful for me.

 

[Shoshan]

God I'm in the same boat with you. I suffered horribly with quit attempts- and the damned cigs even contributed to my wife leaving me.

Vaping seems to be easier than my other attempts and I'm at the 15 day mark now.

All I can say is hang in there. My experience so far seems to indicate that vaping will be successful for me.

Your wife left you because you smoke?


Seems like the marriage wasn't strong to begin with if she left you over something that is *in the big picture* very minor..

 

[audio]

Your wife left you because you smoke?


Seems like the marriage wasn't strong to begin with if she left you over something that is *in the big picture* very minor..

No, he said smoking cigarettes "contributed" to his wife leaving. Same with me. Off topic, though.

 

[Shai]

The depression people are talking about is exactly why I'm still smoking 1 to 2 cigs a day. I'm going to do that for about two months to give my body time to adjust to the lower smoke levels and then quit the damned things.

 

[soulfuldaze]

I have a bit of a different take on this subject. Please be aware that this is only my worth and on the analytical side.

I have been dealing with depression (related to complex PTSD) all of my life. I have been on many different anti-depressants and anti-psychotics but none of them have worked to my satisfaction. I started smoking while hospitalized for depression. (I know...it's very weird to think that I actually started smoking in a hospital...but it's true.) Smoking seemed to ease my anxiety, which...in turn, eased my depression. I have stopped smoking many times...only to return to it, to control my anxiety. I could not understand why I kept doing this. After years of many different forms of psychotherapy, I started a full psychoanalytical treatment. This is a very intense treatment but is starting to realize some results.
This is what I have learned that has helped me understand unconscious motivations.

Some of us have a very strong drive towards death....and that is perhaps what causes us to engage in self-destructive behaviors. Smoking is definately self-destructive and in denial of life. That is to say.....it is death affirming.
Some of us did not get the life affirming messages that we needed and when you do not move towards life, then what we are left with is the long wait towards death....and the unconscious mind strives to move toward its implicit goal.
Smoking, drinking to excess, eating to fill the void......whatever....are all artifacts of the unconscious drive towards death and an end to suffering.

For me....vaping has been a great thing. I feel it is life affirming...(being less destructive to my actual physical body) and it has brought these issues to consciousness for me.

The point of this post is that I am not sure it is the unknown chemicals in cigarettes that ease depression. It may be that we are addicted to our own self-destruction...and to be without that goal we have a feeling of being lost and out of control. Smoking...or self-destructive behavior actually makes us feel more in control....and back on track.

Vaping has the capacity to create a paradigm shift in consciousness if we can see it for what it is.....a small move towards life or a commitment to living...instead of dying.

Sorry for the long post. I just wanted to put this thought out there. I hope it has some value to someone...it has helped me.

 

[audio]

Over the last month I have become extremly depressed, I have had mental health promlems for years, and have not had an episode this bad for years.

I desparately want to stick with vaping, but have started getting agraphobic and sucisidal thoughts, I am on top dose of meds and cannopt up it anymore.


Thanks Kora

Thanks soulful,

Just as a reminder, I've copied a portion of kora's 1st and only post. We haven't heard from her in three days.

 

[wolflrv]

I hear what you're saying Soulfuldaze...and I kind of understand it and agree with it mostly. I've got a slightly different view of why I smoked all those years, that comes from my metaphysical studies. Most psychics it seems are also smokers. Smoking allows them to "put up a wall" of sorts and protects them from folks getting in their space. Psychics smoke to create the wall that protects them from would-be "spiritual hijackers"(entities that latch onto the psychic when they have the "channel" open.) These types of entities typically drain a person emotionally and spiritually. They're also associated with mental illness from a metaphysical view. It's also one of the reasons that tobacco is sacred to Native Americans. This is just something else to think through in your search.

I also prescribe to the somewhat self-destructive need to smoke. I've always been an adrenaline junky and lived fast and hard..thinking I was indestructible...so I'm probably wired that way. I know there's a lot of research on why "thrill-seekers" act the way they do. Smoking is part of that daredevil in me.

I've also like you discovered a new paradigm though while switching to vaping. I'm finding that many things like taking better care of my health, trying to exercise, participating in previously unvailable social situations(due to non-smoking environments)..all of these things are opening up to me finally for the first time in my life. I don't have to make excuses or defend my actions...I'm finding it easier to participate in life in general. I'm not saying I was a hermit before, but I did say no to a lot of things because it would of compromised my ability to smoke.

 

[Stirfry]

nothing worked for me until e-cigs. the mental part is what i needed. the nic was only a small percentage of my issue.

 

[Ponygirl]

Don't get me wrong, Karo has been on my mind for the last couple of days, but has anyone heard from him/her? It's a bit disconcerting.

 

[soulfuldaze]

It is disconcerting....I too wish the OP would get back to us.

There is good research that links neuro-transmitters to cigarette smoking....but there are also alternative ways to trigger those same receptors without inhaling carcinogens. IDK....just my opinion....and hope. I still have clinical depression....and agoraphobia has been a chronic problem for me....but the stigma of smoking only makes it worse. LOL...check my location and try to tell me I don't know about being socially isolated and stigmatized by my environment. *chuckling* Just joking with ya.

And Wolflver.....I totally understand and agree with your view too. I have also said "No" to events and social situations that restrict my ability to self-medicate. I too have used cigs to ground and protect myself as I am an astrologer and card reader....but in that case tobacco becomes a matter of belief and not so much a chemical need.

The OP...may do well with an MAO inhibitor....but it's a complicated medication and there are necessary restrictions.

Life is not easy....it is a Hero's journey. The big trick is to understand "who" the hero really is. IMO

 

[Timberwear]

Im glad this thread exists. I tried quitting cigs about a month ago, and noticed the familiar depression that I haven't had in a very long time...start coming on. I upped my cigs and it went away.

I'm going to be trying to just vaping and snus for now on.... see what happens..

 

[Seabrook]

Im glad this thread exists. I tried quitting cigs about a month ago, and noticed the familiar depression that I haven't had in a very long time...start coming on. I upped my cigs and it went away.

I'm going to be trying to just vaping and snus for now on.... see what happens..

If you have depression, maybe you could start vaping at 24mg, and when you start lowering your nicotine level, have it custom blended to 22 mg for a month, then down to 20mg and on down by two-point increments until you get to the level you would like to vape longer at -- even if that level is 0mg or 6mg.

 

[HeatherC]

Agreed!! Please seek medical advice!!! I too have been on an SSRI for more than 14 yrs and we recently switched it to an SSNRI. I had NONE of that when switching to ecigs! I'd talk to my doctor first thing in the morning!!!!!

 

[Timberwear]

I have no depression since I went back up to say, 3 or 4 analogs. I'm doing fine

I'd like the ecig to work just as well as a cig, we'll see. I'm not pushing anything but we'll see.