Strange Enabling Issue With The Depression And Smoking Link ?
Q: There's alot research coming out these days about the links between
depression and smoking. Every time I read an article about that
link, I think about going back to smoking.
A:I've been in a MAJOR depression before. Some of those depressions
were Hello-Ice-Cream-Truck creepy ones where you actually end up near
death on a few occaisions. I've had depressions where where the
entire world appears bleak, hopeless, and lonely. That's a pain that
you don't easily forget. It's much worse than the pain of quitting
smoking. Starting smoking after you've quit is the most chicken shit
form of suicide available. However memories of those black days still
haunt me when I read about depression and smoking.
I've got a _very_ mild depression going on now that I'm begining to
come to terms with the fact that I've quit smoking and it doesn't look
like I'm going to be starting back up again. You know, it's the
depression stage in Ross's (?) coping with loss. (Denial, Anger,
Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance) I'm definitely at the bargaining
/ depression stage now.
Anyway, the depression bit is interesting reading and it worries me
because of the way it's enabling. Nicotine is MUCH more powerful than
any other over the counter anti depressant (st. john's wort may be a
contender, but i doubt it).
have been depressed for over two decades myself now and
have to say if nicotine really worked I'd go back to smoking
today. Truth is I still get depressed just like before only now
I feel a lot healthier. Not poisoning my body in combination
with the extra oxygen in my system does me good I tell ya.
When I quit a year ago people around me (with all the best
intentions) pleaded I should go back to smoking coz they
where worried I wouldn't be able to cope without nicotine.
Did get an extra quit depression on top of the one I already
was enjoying and had a rough time for a few months but
after 4