With Mayo Clinic behavioral counselor Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.

Tobacco use is very common among those who struggle with depression or other mental illness. One main reason for this is, like other drugs, nicotine can function as a sort of self-medication.

Most types of mental illness are associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain. When you smoke, nicotine stimulates the release of many of the chemicals that are related to mood disorders, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

These chemicals can not only make you feel good, but also help by improving the imbalances that can hinder normal functioning. When you stop smoking this extra chemical release also stops, creating a deficit in the availability of these "feel good" chemicals. The result can be an increase in depressed mood, difficulty concentrating or feeling anxious.

It is important to recognize any symptoms of depression or anxiety that you may experience. Changes in mood and behavior can occur when you stop smoking, even without a previous history of depression or other psychiatric disease. Media reports in recent months have also related mood disorders with the use of Chantix. It is possible there may be a link, but stopping smoking, even without Chantix, can cause similar symptoms.

While going through the quit process, pay attention to your mood and if you notice any changes contact your doctor. If you are already taking medication for a mood disorder or other mental illness it is important to let your prescriber know that you are quitting smoking. Some of the chemicals in tobacco impact the way your body metabolizes medications, so your doctor may need to adjust the dosing once you quit in order for you to continue to get the best effect from those medications.

If you've spent a long time using tobacco to help manage your moods or stress, it becomes a natural default to want to smoke when you are feeling upset, lonely, depressed or overwhelmed. In addition to getting proper treatment for any type of mental illness, it is also important to find new techniques for proactively managing your mood and coping with stress. Talk to a counselor, a spiritual or religious leader, or other helping professional who may be able to offer guidance on how to develop the skills you need to effectively deal with unpleasant emotions in the absence of tobacco use.

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