It’s time to talk about smoking and mental health

Most people know that smoking is bad for your physical health but few people know that smoking can impact your mental health.

People with mental health conditions including anxiety, depression and schizophrenia are more likely to smoke. In some cases, people with mental health conditions smoke as a coping mechanism.

So if you struggle with your mental health and you smoke, it’s important to know that it could be making things worse. Smoking can trap you in a stress cycle, which can exacerbate irritability, anxiety and depression.

How does it trap you in a stress cycle?

• In the short term, smoking can offer a temporary sense of relief from stress and anxiety
• This soon gives way to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
• The craving for a cigarette can cause feelings of irritability and anxiety
• Over the long term, smoking doesn’t get rid of stress, anxiety and low mood
• Stopping smoking is the first step to breaking the cycle.

But smokers with mental health conditions that want to stop smoking for good can achieve the same success as those without mental health conditions. If you have a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health condition, there are a few things to know if you are considering stopping smoking:

• Stopping smoking can be as effective as antidepressants in reducing depression, anxiety and stress
• There is free local support available to help you quit smoking in a way that works for you
• You should speak to your prescriber before and during attempting to stop smoking so your medication can be monitored and adjusted as needed. This is because the tar in tobacco smoke (not nicotine) alters the metabolism of some medicines for physical and mental health conditions.

If you stopped smoking for good you could:

• Feel more positive, improve your mood, mental health and overall wellbeing
  
• Experience lower levels of stress, irritability, anxiety and depression
• Live a longer, healthier life doing more of what you enjoy
• Reduce your monthly spend and become financially better off, saving at least £2,500 in a year.