I do notice that anxiety and depression do seem to be a problem when I try to quit smoking or using nicotine..I get agitated too..The panic and depression center which are sister sites to this one helped me a great deal with these issues..I have decided to try to quit smoking and I am seeing a resurgence in my symptoms..I think maybe it is just a temporary condition. I got past it on my last quit..Like Ashley mentioned I am one of those people that uses nicotine as a way to self medicate.It helps me deal with my emotions and masks my feelings. I am sorry I don't really have any answers for you, but know that I can really sympathize with how you are feeling...
Try to be gentle with yourself..Thats what I am going to try to do..and rest when you need to...
I am also sure you are not the only one on here with mental illness or disorder. We have sister sites that you may want to look at as well: www.depressioncenter.net and www.paniccenter.net. Many individuals with mental illness smoke; proportionally more individuals with mental illness smoke then compared to the general population. Often smoking is used as a self medicating technique but smoking can actually worsen a lot of symptoms. Depending on your symptoms later on in your quit you will probably notice an improvement.
Early on though, you are right, you may notice an increase in other symptoms like anxiety, depression and fatigue. Read through the program as the techniques there will help you manage these withdrawal symptoms. Also, talk to to your doctor or pharmacist about NRTs or medications that can help you ease withdrawal.
In regards to anxiety specifically, chemicals in tobacco smoke affect your entire central nervous system. Because these chemicals have been messing with your nervous system, quitting can cause a feeling of nervousness, which sometimes lasts for a few days. And, when your central nervous system gets back in line, you may find that you have a keener sense of smell, taste, hearing, colour and depth perception.
Tips to help:
Try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and exercise. Physical activity can also be helpful in expending that extra anxious energy.
If you have a symptom that persists or seems worse than you expected, you should immediately consult a doctor. Its possible that your smoking has been masking symptoms of some illness, and when you stop smoking the symptoms abruptly become noticeable.
Members, please share your thoughts and suggestions.
I'm sure I can't be the only one on this site that has a mental illness and is quitting. Does anyone else notice that their symptoms of mental illness get stronger when they quit? How do you deal with it? For me the withdrawal symptoms of agitation are being escalated! Anyone have any idea on how to combat that?
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