TheSmoking and Depression
Close to 50 percent of all people with a history of depression smoke. Find out whether smoking can make you more vulnerable to depression.
Only about one in five adults in the United States smokes cigarettes. By some estimates, however, close to half of those who are depressed or have a history of depression smoke. Some experts believe smoking could make people more vulnerable to depression. Many people begin smoking before they are diagnosed with depression, yet the association between smoking and depression remains strong. For this reason, people who want to successfully stop smoking may have to get their symptoms of depression under control before they tackle smoking cessation.
"Studies with young people show smoking as a strong predictor in the development of depressive symptoms," says Wendy Bjornson, MPH, co-director of the Smoking Cessation Center at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. A depressed mood did not predict whether people would begin smoking, she says, but persistent smoking seemed to be the strongest predictor that an individual would show symptoms of depression.
The Link Between Smoking and Depression
People who are depressed are more likely to start using alcohol or illegal drugs to try to cope with their symptoms, and these substances often go along with cigarettes. Chemically, cigarettes may actually provide a kind of "treatment" for depression symptoms, says Bjornson.
"The thinking is that continued smoking changes the biochemistry in such a way that it suppresses the symptoms of depression," she says. However, this is not an effective long-term treatment for depression. Therapy or antidepressants are a better solution — they could help you cope with the feelings or events that might be contributing to depression without raising your risk for cancer.
The problem is that cigarettes provide a near-perfect delivery system for nicotine, giving the smoker some relief from depressive symptoms almost instantly, and this may make it harder to quit smoking. Smokers might experience a depressive episode when they try to stop smoking, purely as part of the nicotine withdrawal, Bjornson points out.
Smoking and Antidepressants
Smokers who are also taking antidepressantsshould be aware that smoking can affect the blood levels of their medications. In this case, nicotine is not the primary concern — other compounds found in cigarette smoke seem to play the leading role.
"Smoking tends to increase the clearance of these antidepressants," Bjornson explains. "Quitting will reduce clearance." This means that when smokers are managing their depression with antidepressants and then quit smoking, the same dose of medication will have more of an effect, possibly resulting in more medication side effects. Always let the physician who prescribes your antidepressants know if you plan to try to stop smoking so doses can be adjusted accordingly.
TheSmoking and Depression
Close to 50 percent of all people with a history of depression smoke. Find out whether smoking can make you more vulnerable to depression.
Only about one in five adults in the United States smokes cigarettes. By some estimates, however, close to half of those who are depressed or have a history of depression smoke. Some experts believe smoking could make people more vulnerable to depression. Many people begin smoking before they are diagnosed with depression, yet the association between smoking and depression remains strong. For this reason, people who want to successfully stop smoking may have to get their symptoms of depression under control before they tackle smoking cessation.
"Studies with young people show smoking as a strong predictor in the development of depressive symptoms," says Wendy Bjornson, MPH, co-director of the Smoking Cessation Center at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. A depressed mood did not predict whether people would begin smoking, she says, but persistent smoking seemed to be the strongest predictor that an individual would show symptoms of depression.
The Link Between Smoking and Depression
People who are depressed are more likely to start using alcohol or illegal drugs to try to cope with their symptoms, and these substances often go along with cigarettes. Chemically, cigarettes may actually provide a kind of "treatment" for depression symptoms, says Bjornson.
"The thinking is that continued smoking changes the biochemistry in such a way that it suppresses the symptoms of depression," she says. However, this is not an effective long-term treatment for depression. Therapy or antidepressants are a better solution — they could help you cope with the feelings or events that might be contributing to depression without raising your risk for cancer.
The problem is that cigarettes provide a near-perfect delivery system for nicotine, giving the smoker some relief from depressive symptoms almost instantly, and this may make it harder to quit smoking. Smokers might experience a depressive episode when they try to stop smoking, purely as part of the nicotine withdrawal, Bjornson points out.
Smoking and Antidepressants
Smokers who are also taking antidepressantsshould be aware that smoking can affect the blood levels of their medications. In this case, nicotine is not the primary concern — other compounds found in cigarette smoke seem to play the leading role.
"Smoking tends to increase the clearance of these antidepressants," Bjornson explains. "Quitting will reduce clearance." This means that when smokers are managing their depression with antidepressants and then quit smoking, the same dose of medication will have more of an effect, possibly resulting in more medication side effects. Always let the physician who prescribes your antidepressants know if you plan to try to stop smoking so doses can be adjusted accordingly.
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