What’s up with this depression :(

[Marz727]

I’m quit over a month (46 days). I had been feeling good about quitting, except for a little sadness that I know is normal.

Then I started feeling really sad and angry, so I stopped chantix at about 3 weeks quit and got thru that okay.

Now, at 6+ weeks, I’m still so tired, angry and sad and it’s not getting better...it’s getting worse. Not even that I’m craving really. So tonite I am starting an anti-depressant. After all I’ve been thru in my life and never medicated, this is sooo discouraging to me!

Said to my family last nite, quitting smoking seems to be one of the worst things I’ve ever done for my life. Really wish I didn’t feel that way but at what point is it maybe better to just go back to life as I knew it...smoking and happy?!?

[indingrl]

[abbynormal42]

Smoking affects dopamine production in the brain. When you quit, those levels drop. It's very normal to get depressed after quitting, and for some people medication becomes a necessity. Don't think of it as needing a psych med for the first time in your life. Think of it as needing a medication to help your body (and brain) heal. You would take a medication for any other serious medical condition. Quitting smoking puts our bodies through a lot, and sometimes they need a little help healing. It's nothing to be ashamed of.

I have bipolar depression, and after quitting I needed two medication adjustments to help me stabilize. That's how much smoking (and quitting) affects the brain. But quitting is definitely the right choice! We do what we have to do to help ourselves get quit and stay quit.

Incidentally, quitting Chantix also will throw your brain chemistry out of whack. So starting an anti-depressant may be just the thing to help you get to feeling better again. And you may not need to be on it long. Some people can take a course of antidepressants for 6 months to a year and then are able to get off them again. Please don't be discouraged. You are doing good things for yourself.

I had that thought, too--maybe I should just smoke and be happy. But I wasn't happy, not really. I was chained to an addiction that made me miserable. While it may have flooded my brain with dopamine, it also flooded the rest of me with a mess of poisons. It's just not worth it.

[maryfreecig]

No one on Ex will ever advice you that you are better off smoking. I felt better slowly over time. But when I eventually came around the smobriety learning curve my ability to be happy recovered too. Please don't confuse the relief of receiving nicotine (satisfying addiction) with happiness.  As tedious as it must be to hear take it one step at a time, then the next-- this is what works. Stick with Ex.

You can do this! Thanks for sharing  And happy 46.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I had those days. mid-fifties. three days in a row.

Stay on the horse

Stay the course

Have faith that it will pass

I say go for the anti depressant.

When you're ready to get off of it, speak to your doctor.

They don't have to be a life sentence like we're afraid of.

You have the choice to stop using it when you feel stable. Keep that in mind.

[Marz727]

Thank u abbynormal42‌. Appreciate ur sharing and ur good advice!!

[Sootie]

maryfreecig‌  said it EXactly correctly. When you smoke you are addicted to nicotine...you are an addict. An addict needs their drug. When they get their drug, their addiction is "fed" and they equate this with being "happy". We ALL did this when we smoked. But don't fool yourself that satisfying an addiction is happiness. I'm sorry you are feeling depressed but no....it is never better to go back to smoking. You weren't really happy then were you? If you were why did you quit? 

Stay Strong and see it through.....it is so worth it.

[elvan]

Try to get some exercise and spend as much time as you can on the site.  It really does help to have others to talk to.  Smoking will really not help your depression, it will likely make it worse because you will have lost your hard earned quit.  I wish we could tell you exactly when it will get better, God knows we all wanted to know.  The fact is that it DOES get better.  Have you read about No Man's Land?  I sent you a link to a blog and you can always click on the little magnifying glass on the right side of your screen and do a search for more.  You are not alone, remember that.

Ellen

[green1611]

Good remind yourself, you were not happy ....when smoking, therefore you choose the path to quit. And the path is difficult.

So how come you feel, you will be happy after restarting smoking? it is misunderstanding in the mind, under the shadow of nicotine urge by brain.

So hold on to quit, such sad feeling will go away. 

[sweetplt]

You received great information above me Marz727 I found walking outside daily helped and exercising at the gym...I started getting the dopamine that smoking gave me too...and I seemed to lack with my quit.  Also, I think you are right in “No Man’s Land”...and when you get through you will notice some considerable changes.  Hang in there and if it gets worse and/or not better, see your Doctor.  ~ Colleen 460 DOF 

[Barbscloud]

My quit was more emotional than physical, so I understand you're feeling if it's worth it.  This can be harder for some more than others.   It lasted for me for a good while and well into my quit I was still gaining weight and feeling down.  I didn't know what was going on, it was defeating to feel that way.   I contacted my doctor and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism which can also cause depression.  I'm glad you got some medication to help you through this period.    Know that it will pass.  Even though it may not seem like it now, in the end you will know it was worth it.  As said, finding ways to increase the dopamine you've lost, can be helpful.  Walking helped a lot.

Congrats on your continued success.

Barb

10 Best Ways to Increase Dopamine Levels Naturally 

[beazel]

Your quit is still very young, I know it sounds like a broken record at times but it is what it is.

Time will heal you, lots of time. Hang on till you get there, however long that is.

One day at a time.....