can quitting smoking cause depression?

Answer 1

There are two types of depression: chronic and situational.

Chronic is the sort that you have for a long time, generally in cycles (say, in the fall or spring) and generally needs long-term care for (be it medication, suppliments, etc).

Situational is caused by something that happens. You lose your job. Your dog dies. You didn't get that X-Box 360 you wanted. So you're depressed, but it will probably just go away.

Quitting smoking can, in my experience, make one feel depressed. But it's not chronic. It's situational. You're taking away something that you've convinced your body it wants. It's like saying, "Nope, no more chocolate." You don't NEED chocolate (or cigarettes), but your body (brain) WANTS it because it's used to having it. That can bring you down.

Suppliments such as GABA, inositol, fish oil (with omega-3 fatty acids) and others can help calm you down. Also, taking lots of vitamin C is important, because smoking depletes it. There is a good book on orthomolecular medicine entitled, "Depression Free- Naturally" by Joan Matthews Larson. In it she details some things to take if you're quitting smoking and want to avoid massive emotional stress.

Hopefully you or someone near you is thinking about quitting. Good luck.

Answer 2

Natural Quit Smoking Magic

Answer 3

Yes, it can cause anxiety and depression. Part of what makes some people smoke in the first place is that they are self-medicating, so when they stop, the symptoms they had before they started smoking come back worse. People with ADHD, autism and Tourette's often become smokers to help ease their symptoms and improve their lives. Quitting smoking causes most people anxiety, whether they had it before or not. But I know that in my case, quitting causes depression, and that is why I haven't been able to quit. If you don't want to go back to smoking, then you should see a doctor and get antidepressants and tranquilizers.

Answer 4

I think so. WELLBUTRIN is a medication that is part of a quit smoking program. People take pills to quit smoking. Wellbutrin is actually an anti-depressant. My mom was given this to quit smoking and I think there is a connection between the two. Obviously it is anticipated that you will get depressed when you quit because why else would they put a smoker on meds?

Answer 5

When you quit smoking, you are undergoing withdrawal from a drug that your body has become dependent on, and that can lead to all kinds of emotional upheaval. If you have quit and feel it has made you too depressed to deal with it, see your doctor. There are many medications who can help you through this transitional period until your body adjusts to being smokefree.

Answer 6

I was advised by a physician once not to quit smoking cold turkey because it could possibly cause too much stress both mentally and physically. I followed his advice and now I smoke about one third as much as I did, and I feel much better.

Answer 7

Sure it could if u just cold turkey it and still think about smoking.
If u do not want to quit take vitamin C...2000mg for every pack u smoke to put back in the body what smoking took out.

Answer 8

Oh my gosh yes. I was very depressed when I quit smoking. I work in the medical field, and lots of us smoke, however don't want to admit it. My body went thru withdrawl, and depression is just part of it. overall, you can get past it, but try to find comfort in teas and herbs during your transition. good luck.

Answer 9

Not only can but probably will. Nicotine is a stimulant to the central nervous system and is addictive. This is why many doctors are prescribing the temporary use of antidepressants like Welbutron during the first few weeks of smoking cessation.

Answer 10

The withdrawal syndrome can cause symptoms similar to depression. It's just your brain trying to adjust to not having nicotine. These symptoms should diminish and disappear over time.