Handling Depression After Quitting Smoking

What to Expect After Quitting Smoking

After you quit smoking it is normal to feel sad at times. Feelings of depression are common among people whom have quit smoking. Many people have an urge to smoke when they feel depressed. Just remember if you give into this craving you may find yourself sad for another reason, smoking a cigarette and not sticking with your decision to quit smoking.

If you do find yourself suffering from depression it will typically begin within the first day or so and continue for a couple of weeks. It should go away within a month.

Here are a few ideas to handle depression after quitting smoking:

Try and determine the specific feelings at the time that you seem depressed. Are you actually feeling tired, lonely, bored, or hungry? Focus on and address these specific needs.
Add up how much money you have saved not buying cigarettes and imagine (in detail) how you will spend that money after six months of not buying cigarettes.
Do something fun, call a friend, go to a movie, or some other event that is pleasurable.
Write down solutions to things that upset you.
Try to keep positive about the changes in your life.
Try to increase your physical activity, go for a walk or to the gym. This will help to improve you mood and lift your depression.
Focus on your strengths.
Plan your next vacation or fun activity.
Take deep breaths.
Make a list of your personal short and long-term goals.
Think of how healthy you will be when all smoking effects are gone from your body and you can call yourself smoke-free.
If depression continues for more than 1 month, consult your doctor.

Not only is nicotine highly addictive it acts as a stimulant and a depressant, depending upon your mood and the time of day. It effects your mood by regulating the level of activity of key parts of the brain and central nervous system that control your sense of well-being.

No two people are alike. The way you may cope with the problems of quitting smoking may be the different than what worked for someone else. Consult your doctor about prescription medication such as Wellbutrin or Zyban that may help you with depression. Learn about the signs of depression and where to go for help. Visit the National Institute of Mental Health web site for more information.

Note:

Having a history of depression is associated with more severe withdrawal symptoms, including more severe depression. Studies have shown that individuals with a history of major depression will have a new major depressive episode after quitting smoking. However, in the cases with no history of depression, major depression after quitting smoking is rare.

Quit Smoking Tips and Resources

Get on the Road to Quitting Smoking!

Handling Depression After Quitting Smoking

What to Expect After Quitting Smoking