Welcome to the Community Forums

Is depression a withdrawal symptom? Cancel

1. ineedthis

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   19 Sep 2018
   02 Nov 2018

   Link to this post

   Having a hard time right now.  Crying for no reason.  I don't want to take medication for depression though.  Is this a symptom of withdrawal?  I'm 32 days smoke free but almost had a cigarette last night.  So much stress.  So much anxiety right now.
2. jenna lee, quit coach

   

   265 posts
   Registered:
   28 Jun 2018
   02 Nov 2018 in reply to ineedthis

   Link to this post

   Hi ineedthis,
   
   Sorry to hear you are struggling. Depression is a normal withdrawal.
   
   Quitting can be a difficult time, especially if we used cigarettes as a coping strategy.  Aside from medications, there are still other healthy ways to manage these symptoms and so I do recommend speaking with a healthcare professional to get resources and support for mental health.
   
   Be proud that through despite all of this that you are going through, you ALMOST had a cigarette last night, but you didn't. 
   
   Hope this helps,
   
   Jenna Lee
3. autumn.xx

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   30 Nov 2018
   30 Nov 2018 in reply to jenna lee, quit coach

   Link to this post

   .

   Last modified on 30 Nov 2018 13:37 by autumn.xx
4. autumn.xx

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   30 Nov 2018
   30 Nov 2018 in reply to ineedthis

   Link to this post

   I'm almost one month smoke free and my depression (that I take meds for) has been severely worse. Its comes and goes day to day. I'm also feeling exhausted in little spirts. I didnt feel this way prior to quitting. It's horrible and so difficult because I'm going through a tough time in my life right now and everytime it gets to be too much I crave a smoke like crazy. Just know these symptoms wont last forever and its better to deal with it now, then relapse and have to go through them all over again. You can do this! 🤘
5. eagerquit

   

   415 posts
   Registered:
   07 Mar 2018
   30 Nov 2018

   Link to this post

   Hi autumn.xx,
   
   Almost a month smoke free is a big accomplishment. Congratulations! I also felt some depression during the early period of my quit. Saying goodbye to something that had been with me for years was tough but I kept a lot of positive things in front of me. I still draw smiley faces on my daily "to do" list which I look at from time to time as the day progresses. Crossing a completed item off my list gives me a feeling of accomplishment. Reward yourself when you reach certain points in your quit and for the money not sunk into cigarettes. This can be a dinner out, new clothes, taking up a hobby you have been wanting to get into. I have taken up several since I quit. They keep me busy and not thinking about smoking.
   
   Wishing you another smoke free day.
   
   Eagerquit
   
6. jenna lee, quit coach

   

   265 posts
   Registered:
   28 Jun 2018
   30 Nov 2018

   Link to this post

   autumn.xx,
   
   Firstly, congratulations on your quit. One month is huge. I am sorry to hear what you are going through with your mental health. I hope you have resources (such as doctors) who you can speak with about getting medication or counselling for this.  
   
   Eagerquit makes a good point that feeling down after quitting may not only only be from the physical withdrawal of no-longer having the nicotine stimulant in your body, but from other reasons such as mourning smoking or not having other coping strategies. Perhaps these can be some reasons our mental health is affected after quitting too. 
   
   Do what you need to do to continue to get healthy, both physically and mentally autumn.xx. The fact that you are going through a hard time and NOT smoking goes to show your determination.
   
   We are here for you,
   
   Jenna Lee