If you have depression, there is a good chance you smoke, too. Studies have shown that depression and smoking often go hand in hand. People with depression are not only more likely to smoke, but may also find it harder to quit smoking than those who are not depressed.
Researchers have long recognized that there is a link between smoking cigarettes and depression. It is still not entirely clear exactly how smoking and depression are related, but several theories may explain the link:
- Depression leads to smoking. It may be that people who are depressed turn to smoking, hoping to make themselves feel better and alleviate their depression symptoms.
- Smoking causes depression. Recent research suggests that an increased risk of depression is among the many negative effects of smoking, possibly because nicotine damages certain pathways in the brain that regulate mood. As a result, nicotine may trigger mood swings.
- A vicious cycle is at play. Other studies have suggested that smoking makes people more depressed and depression makes people turn to smoking — smoking and depression may actually perpetuate each other.
- There may be shared genetic triggers. It has also been proposed that certain genetic predispositions may increase both the risk of smoking and depression in some people.
Secondhand Smoke and Depression
People who don’t smoke, but who spend a lot of time around people who do, are at increased risk of smoking-related death and disease. This is significant, since so many people are exposed to secondhand smoke.
Now studies have shown that secondhand smoke exposure may also be linked to depression. One found that those who never smoked or smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime but lived with or worked around smokers were more likely to have major depression than non-smokers not exposed to secondhand smoke.
What This Means for You
If you have depression, smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke could make your symptoms worse. Likewise, if you’re a smoker, an increased risk of depression is one more reason you should try to stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke exposure.
As most smokers know, however, quitting is easier said than done. For people already managing depression, giving up cigarettes can be even trickier, since stopping smoking can also trigger worsening symptoms of depression. Even so, these symptoms eventually pass and the health benefits of quitting clearly outweigh any downside. To get the help you need to quit smoking, don’t be afraid to tell your doctor and ask for suggestions.
Remember that it is completely natural to feel irritable and sad in the first days and weeks after you stop smoking. Also keep in mind that many smokers who have depression experience more severe nicotine withdrawal symptoms than those who don’t. But sticking with your plan and staying away from cigarettes is worth it — it will help you feel better in the long run and, ultimately, proud that you have conquered the challenging task of quitting smoking.
Most people feel better within a month after they stop smoking. If your feelings of sadness and depression are overwhelming or if your depression continues for more than a month, be sure to talk to your doctor.