I read in a newpaper today (and I forget which one) that smoking causes depression and

[applegrove]

when people quit they are happier after a while. Anyone ever experienced this? I'm on meds so I couldn't say how I was affected by my quit except that I love being quit.

[MiddleFingerMom]

1. I read yesterday or today that trying to quit and FAILING can cause depression...

.
.
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...which seems obvious to me -- that one would be highly disappointed in one's self
for having failed at a goal.
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Conversely, also seemingly obvious... the pride and/or self-esteem that would accompany
successfully quitting would pervade your entire being.
.
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Sometimes studies come to "groundbreaking" conclusions that make ME say, "Well, DUH!!!
.
.
.
.
.

[applegrove]

2. Oh yeah. You are totally right. I was always feeling like **** about my habit. And I was always

trying to quit and failing.

[pinboy3niner]

16. And depression often involves feelings of being powerless

So quitting successfully can bring a positive feeling of regaining control over one's life and regaining some measure of power.

[tigereye]

3. I always thought it was more oxygen getting to you

:D


I don't know if this was one of the studies they referenced, but it is interesting.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/723266

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

4. not in my case

i've dealt with depression before i smoked, and still now that i smoke. i'd say if anything smoking makes me feel a little better, but that's not a recommendation to anyone. Smoking just personally makes me feel good. But it's not that much of a burden to me - i've been smoking 6 years, haven't tried to quit since year one. I imagine it would be pretty depressing to want to quit and not be able to. Also I roll my own cigarettes, with high quality tobacco that's way cheaper than corporate cigarettes (although not as cheap as it was a year or two ago before the new taxes) - I imagine people giving their whole paycheck to Phillip Morris have a lot to be depressed about.

i think the simple logic of this is that depressed people are more likely to smoke, so smokers are more depressed than non-smokers. that's not rocket science, and i haven't done any research into the matter, but it seems pretty logical. people also start smoking when they're young, and more likely to *think* they're depressed. and quit when they are older and less likely to *think* they are depressed. Also, quitting is something to be pretty happy about...so I'm not too surprised that quitters are happier than smokers.

Just some thoughts.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. Welcome to DU, FamousBlueRaincoat!

You have a nice blog!

:hi:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. Maybe it's true in general

but I know that it's very depressing to dream that you had a cigarette. After I wake up, I feel depressed that I failed, even though it was only a dream. After 10 years of not smoking, this is happening less frequently.

It ain't easy.

Happier? I don't know. But I save a lot of money. And I can run better and catch my breath quicker.

I'd recommend quitting.

:hi:

[DeadEyeDyck]

6. it would seem obvious that taking steps to

live longer would definitely raise your self-esteem.

[applegrove]

7. When I was a smoker and tried to quit I was always so aware of the sense of loss

I thought I would feel by not smoking. The way I quit: chantix/champix and herbal smokes i don't crave at all.

[provis99]

8. really? that's depressing. I need to light up...

[woofless]

9. That has been my experience,

though I would not have made the connection. I have been tobacco free for more than 5 years and I am a much happier person,due, I am sure, to a number of things. Perhaps it was a factor.

Woof

[Roon]

10. Oh, yeah..I became much happier

It's so nice to be a non-smoker.

[K8-EEE]

12. After quitting I was in a much better mood because

I was able to REALLY exercise again -- I was easily winded when I smoked and it was amazing how quick my lungs recovered once I quit. I swam a lot to keep me from smoking and within a month I was getting to the other side without coming up for air, that really motivated me. Feeling physically stronger and exercising more and more was like a tonic and I began to see how the smoking had been feeding into depression.

[raccoon]

13. I'd say it's exactly the opposite. When I started smoking, I was depressed,

and boy did it make me feel better.

PS I quit some years ago.

[Iggo]

14. I found that being a nicotine addict was depressing...

...and after I quit I found that getting the upper hand on my addiction was uplifting.

Man, I gotta get me some study money.

[applegrove]

15. I know. I have a sister who when she had had her first baby was paid to do a study on why women of

childbearing age didn't stay with the company???? LOL!