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Depression
What to Expect
When you are feeling sad and blue and want to smoke, you know (deep down) that a cigarette is only a temporary answer.
Having a cigarette will only make you feel worse in the long run—you may get even more depressed because you could not stick with your decision to quit.
Frequency
Having a prior history of depression is associated with more severe withdrawal symptoms-including more severe depression. Some studies have found that 17-30% of people with a prior history of major depression will have a new major depressive episode after quitting.
The incidence rate of major depression after quitting is low (i.e. 2%) if you have no prior history of depression.
If mild depression occurs, it will usually begin within the first 24 hours, continue in the first 1-2 weeks, and go away within a month.
Self-Management
Identify your 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 already by not purchasing cigarettes and imagine (in detail) how you will spend your savings in six months.
Call a friend and plan to have lunch, go to a movie or to a concert.
Make a list of things that are upsetting to you and write down solutions for them.
Nicotine and Your Body and Mind
Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. It acts as both a stimulant and a depressant, depending upon your mood and the time of day. It controls your mood by regulating the level of arousal of key parts of the brain and central nervous system.