Mercy, I've taken great comfort just from reading your post. Its very informative and covers much of what I feel. The coping mechanisms you talk about all make sense and make the road a little easier. Thanks for sharing! Cheers, Jan :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/26/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 11 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 330 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $99.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 37 [B]Seconds:[/B] 47

Mercy, you hit it on the head with the depression. Yes smoking can mask several symptoms you may never know you had. Depression is one of them, one of the worst for me. If any of you ever feel like your not yourself or have a low self esteem or any of the other symptoms Mercy talked about for a couple of weeks. I plead with you to go see your doctor. Depression is not a fight you can win by yourself. If you are having these symptoms, stay away from alcohol also as it can magnify these feelings and symptoms. Great post Mercy. Freebird ~'~ [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]9/24/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 254 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 7,620 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,066.80 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 35 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 11 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27

Hi Mercy, Thank you so much for this post. As some of you know I blew a quit of 75 days because of stress and depression. I needed to read this and I printed it up so on my quit date which is soon I will have this to read over. No matter how some of you are feeling you will feel worse if you go back to smoking. I regret it and have gone into therapy so I don't go back to smoking the next time. It won't help and will make you feel worse. Please if it gets that bad do something other than smoke. Get on the phone, talk to someone just don't smoke!! I'll definitely try the B vitamins it can't hurt. I ended up being angry with everything and with therapy I learned it's another way of looking for excuse to smoke. Find things that make you happy or bring pleasure to your life eg: gardening, hiking, camping taking a ride, calling an old friend anything that will make you feel better it's worth it!!! Hang in there!!!! Don't give up hope!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]6/21/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] -16 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] -560 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $-176.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] -124221

I've been dealing with this, too. Not necessarily depression, but some strange moods and too much energy that I don't know what to do with mixed with hours when I don't feel like moving. It's starting to pass (happening less and less), but it's disconcerting since that's not me. I do find I'm a bit angrier, though. My mood and my attitude had such a big impact on my concious decision to lose my quit last time, that it has been my main focus for this final quit. I have no inclination to pick up a cigarette (in fact the thought makes me a little nauseous), so I'm learning to find other ways to channel my behaviour and moods. I'm trying to find ways to deal with that and am getting help from my mother (who is an RN), a supportive friend and my pastor. It's nice to have you guys here, too, when I start to get weird!!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/29/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 6 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 150 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $40.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56

Hey Wnt2befree & NewMe. Yes I went thru a depression with every single quit as well, and this time did a bit more research and was recommended Vitamin B Complex! I bought it,(high potency), and was amazed at the turnaround! Now being a realist I know it may not work for everyone, but its a vitamin, it can't hurt, and well worth a try. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/5/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 91 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,275 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $960.05 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 50 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4

Thanks for the insight. I have been feeling funky lately and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because of my quit, I have never quit before so I don't know what to expect. I know I should be really excited that I have come this far and I was for like the first 2 weeks. Now I feel indifferent to the whole process. I should be jumping for joy because I have made it for 27 days, but I don't feel excited and I can't explain it. Hopefully this will pass because I'm a positive person and I don't like feeling down. I have been exercising more and trying to enjoy my smoke free life but it seems to be a struggle lately. Any suggestions or coping strategies???? By the way Mercy, your suggestion about writing down things I am grateful helped a little :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/8/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 27 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 459 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $113.40 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 42

Thanks Josie, I am diong much better. I am a ver upbeat person and was not very familiar with feeling so down. If anything would have got me to blow my quit, it would have been that depression. It was pretty bad. I stuck it out and it seems to have lifted significantly. I'm sure B vitimans helped...but I think it lifted more on it's own. Mercy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/21/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 130 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,600 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $581.10 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 17 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27

Thanks Mercy, Please also take the time to check with your doctor, as smoking has a habit of masking problems :) Great information :) Josie, Support Specialist

Thanks mercy, I have struggled with depression in EVERY quit.. (I have lost count). But, every failed attempt has brought me to this place in my life. Now, I believe that I CAN become free from this addiction, no matter how i feel in the process. Thanks for the great post. new me [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/26/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 120 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $25.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 15 [B]Seconds:[/B] 53

THIS TOPIC HAS BEEN COMING UP LATELY. PLEASE READ THE WHOLE THING. THERE IS EXCELLENT TIDBITS THAT HIT HOME WITH ME. I PERSONALLY SUFFERED SOME PRETTY SEVERE DEPRESSION THAT LASTED OVER TWO WEEKS. LIKE IT SAID...IT BEGAN TO LIFT. MERCY How to Manage Emotions Smoke Free Depression is an issue of focus for many who quit smoking. At times, quitting smoking is an extremely difficult thing to do, and it is difficult enough when you're feeling happy. I would venture to guess that many people have relapsed during periods of depression; it is more difficult to stay focused and maintain resolve and motivation. For those people who suffer bouts of depression during the cessation process, the condition is usually mild and temporary. People who have been diagnosed and or treated for depression prior to quitting smoking should monitor any changes in symptoms carefully as they begin and move forward in their smoke-free journey. Some may experience changes in their symptoms, which may necessitate a change in treatment. If you experience drastic mood changes when you quit smoking, or if they persist for an extended period of time, a visit with your physician is advisable. If you find yourself suffering the more common temporary emotional upset, try to relax and let the feelings come as they will. Quitting is a big change in lifestyle, and you will react, to some degree, both emotionally and physically. And think about it; there really is no reason to deny your emotions; they are personal, and they belong to you. Symptoms of depression may include: sleeplessness sadness difficulty concentrating anxiety or an "empty feeling fatigue changes in appetite (more or less) loss of interest in hobbies, activities emotional irritability While quitting smoking, the body and the mind are in a state of transition, and it's not uncommon for new ex-smokers to struggle with their emotions. GRATITUDE: It helps to build up a reservoir of gratitude. When you're feeling down and having a difficult time finding the positives, quitting smoking is always there; you can always feel good about that. Take time at the end of the day to acknowledge the importance of what you are working to accomplish. It will help you fill that resevoir. Find comfort in knowing that you are being kind to your body. Gratitude will help offset negative feelings and make it easier for you to manage depression due to quitting tobacco. Change Your Mind: One of the greatest challenges new ex-smokers face is a very important change in perspective. It is that shift in thinking from seeing smoking as an exercise in deprivation to realizing that it is in fact one of the best gifts you've ever given to yourself. This is a CRUCIAL step in the process, and it is with this transformation that many see the symptoms of depression begin to lift. While you are moving through this transitional period, crying, whining, and even screaming are all preferable to inhaling deadly chemicals. Early in the quitting process, some resort to lighting up because they perceive smoking to be something that offers comfort. !!!!!!!!!!Smoking is not comforting; it is familiar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Time away from smoking makes it less familiar; you'll begin to see nicotine for what it is...a highly addictive drug which robs people of time with those they love and seeks to kill, one puff at a time...if you let it. Give yourself time to develop new and healthier coping strategies. Don't buy the lie. There is never a good reason to light up. It's likely that many of you who are feeling down, felt happy recently. You'll feel that way again. In the meantime, you can find comfort in turning to your friends, your family, or your faith. In time, these will become the more familiar sources of comfort to you, and smoking will become that thing that you thought used to make you feel better. Take comfort too, in knowing that millions of people have been through this process and not only have they lived to tell about it, but many include it among the most rewarding and life-affirming experiences of their lives. So, if you've quit smoking in the last few weeks or months and are feeling blue, please be patient with yourself. You are going through some big changes, and your body and mind need some time to adjust. Do any little things you can think of to give yourself a little lift. Rent a comedy, try a new hairstyle, call a friend, go shopping; spend a little of the money you're saving since you quit, and buy yourself something special. Keep reminding yourself that it is a temporary state, and you'll find happier days ahead; with them will come a tremendous sense of pride and empowerment. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/21/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 130 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,600 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $581.10 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 17 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 15 [B]Seconds:[/B] 39