Hi everyone
First of all I wanted to say to all you Non-smokers on this board -CONGRATULATIONS!!!
THis is by far one of the hardest things you will ever have to do.
I have a question and I hope that someone can help me. I have been a smoker for the last 12 years. I suffer from extreme anxiety and I smoke to try and relax. I am very afraid to quit smoking for fear that my anxiety will be even worse than it is right now. Has anybody dealt with this and if so how did you cope?
Thanks
Kadree

Hi Kadree...I was just wondering if your anxiety was diagnosed by a dr. If it hasn't...go to your family doc...they can usually help you out with tips..or if you need it meds...in any case..we're here too..

I went through some anxiety too, and believe it or not, I've been getting better ever since I quit smoking and it's only been since January. Either way..you're gonna do great!!

Jess

Hi Kadree,

Believe it or not, smoking is probably causing a lot of your anxiety. Remember, we smoke because we're addicted to nicotine. When you crave nicotine you probably feel empty, insecure and anxious. When you light up a cigarette that feeling disappears temporarily. Once you're able to get that nicotine out of your system for good, you'll find that you have fewer episodes of anxiety.

Trust me, once you get through the initial withdrawal, you will feel so much better! You can do it!

Crystal

Hi Jess and Crystalll,
Thanks so much for your replies. I am going to try it. I only have a few cigarettes left and I am not going to buy anymore! Thanks for the support and I'll leep you posted on my progress.
Love
Kadree

hello, this is my opinion on the matter, people smoke because they are stressed. when they smoke they take deep breaths witch helps with stress. smokin totally messes up your nervous system and most people dont even relize it. i hear it is harder to stop smokin psycologicly than it is physicly. if your think stoping smokin is painful u beta have a stong will power because the odds are againt you. my mother could not stop smokin she tryed every thing, when she found out she had lung cancer no more desire to smoke so that made it pretty simple to stop, and same with my uncle but hes lucky enough to have his keemo (sp?) workin for him. i think the first step to stopping is to want to stop for u or some one else, maybe show some statistics. then u got to do something u enjoy so your not even thin about it. u can do iiit kick that stupid habit.


how easy would it be if u found out u had cancer, that could be a cruel joke but i bet it would work though.

good luck.

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 08-14-2002).]

i for got to mention that after 3 weeks its all pshcologic. so if u start back again after 3 weeks it was just stress. it will also help to take deep breaths when ever u remember or fell pressured, kinda common sence but, just a reminder.


dont beleive every thing u think.

will quit smoking have such a effect on ppl ,like feling stress?or being very pressure and other sleeping problem?i think i am experiencing it now....how was the feeling like?can u all pls describe more?

Hi there! Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone with worrying about your anxiety levels when you quit smoking. I was diagnosed with panic disorder and was also worried that this would get worse by my quitting smoking. Surprise! I had my last cigarette on March 22, 2001. I quit while I was in therapy and had the support and help I needed to overcome some anxiety that might have been caused by quitting ( but it's hard to tell what causes the panic attacks). All I know is that I have not had a panic attack in a very long time....I still may have some anxiety in general though. But I think that anxiety is something that I will always have a little more of than the average person. Now I know how to deal with it.
Please don't be afraid to quit...face it and you may surprise yourself.