Although it is common knowledge that smoking can place someone in a higher risk category for heart disease and cancer, the link between smoking and mental health has not been widely publicized. In actual fact, there is a strong correlation between smoking and clinical depression.
The Mental Health Association in Delaware (MHA) has received funding from the Division of Public Health's Tobacco Prevention Community Outreach Contract. Funding is provided by the Delaware State Health Fund to provide information that will help prevent people from smoking or help people who are attempting to quit smoking. Apparently, smoking provides some relief from the feelings of depression; however, the relief is for a very short period of time. Also, smoking depletes chemicals in the brain that cause depression so although someone may experience temporary relief of symptoms, the clinical depression symptoms may actually become more severe.
In addition, since smoking depletes these necessary chemicals in the brain, it can actually cause clinical depression. Some other compelling statistics are that teens who smoke were more than four times more likely to develop highly depressed symptoms during a year's time. The study also emphasized the need to seek treatment for mental health symptoms by seeing a mental health professional. This is the most effective way to stop smoking and improve the mental health symptoms (CNN.com, Dr. Elizabeth Goodman, Children's Medical Center of Cincinnati, Ohio, 2000). Also, anti-depressant drugs are helpful in treating nicotine addiction (Monitor on Psychology, 2001). For example, the drug Wellbutrin and the drug Zyban are actually the same drug but marketed for different purposes.
MHA's Community Educator, Jennifer Reges, has been incorporating information about smoking into her presentations for middle schools and high schools.
If you want to access programs to help you quit smoking, click here to reach the American Lung Association website
The common symptoms of clinical depression are loss of self esteem, fatigue, lack of concentration, weight loss or weight gain, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, sleeping problems, and suicidal thoughts. MHA also provides support groups statewide to help people who are experiencing these symptoms. Call for more information.