Anxiety, irritability, impatience and restlessness are temporary effects of the physical withdrawal from nicotine. But depression may linger on as a result of giving up the drug, a long time friend mentally and physically for ex-smokers. This has been noticed in some ex-smokers, but not all. It could be a reaction to a change in lifestyle or an underlying problem.
Self-Medication
There are smokers who use nicotine to self-medicate depression, either knowingly or unknowingly, according to Columbia University. Smokers may have hidden their depressive moods through nicotine, because it is a drug that is believed to temporarily relieve feelings of depression. Ex-smokers who feel depressed should seek counseling at this time to help stave off nicotine desires. Those depressive moods could tempt the ex-smoker back on the nicotine again.
Sadness
The National Cancer Institute points out that it is normal for people who have just quit smoking to feel sad over a period of time. People may have a strong urge to start smoking again when they feel depressed, but the institute advises them that they will feel even sadder if they start puffing again and realize they were not able to stick to their decision to quit. Ex-smokers with a history of depression may develop new depressive moods after quitting. But people with no history of depression may not suffer depression after quitting. Depression may begin within the first day and continue for the first couple of weeks. It should be gone within the first month unless the depression is serious enough for therapy.
Nervous System
Quit smoking depression is considered by some observers to be equal to major depression, according to Surviving Depression, a website for information on depression. Nicotine is tough to kick because it acts as a stimulant and a depressant, depending on the mood of the smoker. It regulates key parts of the brain and central nervous system. People who give it up need to know it is not going to be easy and they may have feelings of depression. They should hang on to the support of family, friends or counselors needed at this time.
Curb Symptoms
Some doctors use depression drugs to help curb the symptoms of depression to keep the ex-smoker off cigarettes. It is believed that people who suffer the agony of quit smoking depression may have suffered from depression long ago had they not been smokers. Depression from quitting smoking can be a serious obstacle in cessation because smoking has a high relapse rate.
Natural
Treatments other than counseling include exercise to keep the body occupied and healthy during this tender time and also herbs, teas or vitamins, which may help people stop smoking and avoid the withdrawal and depression symptoms. Natural substances are recommended over therapies such as nicotine patches because the healthier practices get rid of nicotine all together.
