Anxiety and smoking - Anxiety Message Board

Jchandra88 · 07-13-2004, 01:17 PM

I was just wondering if anyone who was suffering from an anxiety disorder also smoked? I know that anxiety can trigger paranoia and vice versa..which would make most anxiety sufferers too afraid to smoke on account of every little pain being possibly cancer. I have those kinds of fears, but they haven't been strong enough to make me quit for good yet. I just think it would interesting to find out how many of us smoked.

Graciecat · 07-13-2004, 02:17 PM

I'm a smoker.
I know some people say that smoking made their anxiety worse but it never did that to me...in fact it had just the opposite effect, it seemed to calm me down.

GOLDBERG · 07-13-2004, 02:57 PM

i have smoked for 12years since i got diagnosed with anxiety & depression. i quit for 3mths earlier this yera. in that time i can honestly say i felt more relaxed ,calm & more at peace with self. i started aain coz i got upset over my ex who contacted me outta blue & messed with head. it was a mistake 7 now like before my smoking is more a nervous reaction than enjoyment i will try aain to quit within a few months when i feel ive got enough will power again. goldberg

dizzygirl · 07-13-2004, 05:25 PM

Hi.... I smokes about a pack a day for 10 years, and quit about 4 months ago. It was ironically my worst bout with symptoms at the time, but for some reason, I picked that time to try. I used to think that it calmed me to smoke, and that I would have really bad withdrawl symptoms when I quit, but it was just the opposite. I quit cold turkey, and I feel alot better. I swear, I won't preach, but give it a try. You really won't miss all of the pros it had. I never thought that I wanted to quit, but I did, and believe me, I am so stubborn!

PMH · 07-14-2004, 10:06 AM

Hello. i am a smoker also, i have smoked for about 6 years or so. EWver since i hve had sinus and anxiety problems i have seriously cut down on the smoking. I used to smoke about a packa day, now a pack lasts me almost 2 weeks!
I was having a lot of chest pressure and pains, and when i smoke it just makes me think they are coming back, so i have tried to quit alltogether, i agree it makes you feel better all around!