Many people suffering from depression and anxiety are hesitant to quit smoking, a psychosocial habit, smoking relieves stress and emotional gratification for many people with mental health problems. The problem, however, is that the mix of mental illness and smoking work hand in hand to exacerbate all the negatives for both disorders. Let's take a closer look at how smoking impacts the minds and bodies of the anxious and depressed.
Smoking increases physical risks for the mentally ill
According to Adelaide Hypnotherapist, "smoking makes up many of the health problems already suffered by people with mental illness." People who suffer from anxiety and depression often have higher rates of diabetes, heart attacks, and stroke. In fact, as these researchers point out, "the leading cause of death among people with mental illness is not suicide, it is cardiovascular disease." And we know that the cardiovascular system is one of the main areas of the body that attacks smokers. Therefore, smoking takes the already fragile bodies of the mentally ill and makes them even more delicate and prone to illness and death.
Smoking is indeed dangerous for anxiety and depression, but it can be overcome. People who suffer from anxiety and depression should participate in assisted smoking cessation methods just as they are involved in therapy for their disorders. One method that is particularly helpful for anxious and depressed smokers is hypnosis to quit smoking . Quitting with hypnosis involves reprogramming smokers' attitudes and beliefs toward cigarettes so that they are no longer dependent on them for emotional gratification, stress relief, or any other form of psychological reliever. They can learn to transfer these emotional responses into healthy activities instead.
Smoking is a psychological habit that does a lot of damage, both for the body and for mental health.
