My boyfriend's trying to quit smoking and he's using the patch. However, he is bipolar (like me) and he's going crazy. His moods are swinging from manic to depressed within a day and he's having panic attacks. I don't know what to do. He might get an appointment with a doctor if it gets any worse. We both have had bad expierences with the mental health system, and I fear he will be prescribed bupropion hydrochloride (Zyban). I've had it and it made my moods a lot worse. I just need to talk to someone whose been through this. I quit smoking and nothing remotely similar happened, so I don't understand. Anyone else gone through this? Anyone else bipolar? Peace & Love
I can definitely relate on many levels, as I'm trying to quit smoking also. Though I'm not a doctor and not really fond of Western medicine, it definitely sounds like he needs to stop using the patch ASAP if it's having those kinds of effects on him. And the last thing he needs, especially being bipolar, is to be given even more drugs to further mask the problem. I'm thinking if he quits the patch & continues taking whatever he's currently taking to treat the bipolar disorder, the mood swings & panic attacks should subside. Quitting smoking can be a slow process for some of us. I'm going on 20 years of constant smoking, so you can only imagine! I recently switched from Camel Lights to Natural American Spirits...a little more expensive but I've cut way down (less than a pack a day). Try some alternative therapies, since they may help with both quitting smoking and the bipolar disorder. I spend time in deep meditation every day & have had quite a few Reiki treatments (now that I'm a Reiki practitioner, I give treatments to myself). These have both worked extremely well in almost eliminating my long battle with depression and have helped in the quitting smoking process (reduced cravings). I've also heard good things about acupuncture to help quit smoking. I'm actually going to look into it myself since I can feel I need an added "push." I hope this information helps. ~Namaste~
It might not be the most helpful advice, but the best thing you can do is just tell yourself you're over it! I had smoked for 7-8 years when I quit at age 19. Everyone told me that it was the hardest thing I would do, (and it might have helped that I made myself make the decision all at once, out of the blue, cold turkey) but I just gathered up all the strength I had and told myself I was done. After I had already quit, (five minutes after my last cigarette) I knew it would have been the stupidest thing I could do to go back to it. Even if only for today, or until the beginning of the month, etc. I've known a lot of people who quit by trying to cut back, hoping the addiction will just taper off. But by doing that it seems to me like you're just feeding the addiction, and giving it more power over you mentally. And when it comes to the mood swings, unless they are violent or something, just take them as they come. If you are OVER it, like I said, if you just tell yourself you are done, they might not come as often. Oh yeah - and for the occasional "trigger response" when you feel you MUST smoke - learn relaxation techniques and to tie hemp or crochet. It can really helps to do something with your hands! Good luck!
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, he is not at a place where he can quit smoking. Once he can say "I'm done for good" then he might have a chance; however, he isn't there yet. Plus, he's trying to get a job at a TOBACCO store! That's one way of setting yourself up for failure if I've ever heard. His parents have agreed to pay for a doctor and medicine when he is serious about quitting. Hopefully, that will be soon. However, I'm not holding my breath because I would die before that happened! Peace & Love
i have anxiety problems, and i am a smoker. my boyfriend wants to quit with me, and i know how hard it is, when your going through so much, when it comes to anxiety, the accesssive worrying doesnt help to quit. does he have something to calm him down when he feels anxious because he needs the cigerete, like a kolonopin or valuum if it gets bad enough that he would get a panic attack? i would tell him that maybe it would be easier once he has a job, and everything is all running smooth in his life, then he could quit. and maybe suggest that if he really wants to quit, working where youlll be looking at cigerettes all day is NOT going to help and he should look for another job!
If I try to stop smoking i think i'll end up at the bottom of a bridge. I've been smoking for the past 10 years now.
My boyfriend is also in the midst of quitting smoking, and like yours, is also bipolar. He's not doing very well, though he's only been trying since Monday. Tonight while filing his taxes, I watched him smoke 3 or 4. I think, though, I've been freaking out more than he has. I'm supposed to carry his cigarettes for him and allot him only so many a day. His mood swings can get really scary (he's not violent, just gets extremely cold and mean), so I'm constantly on my toes. Not to mention, his best friend (who we always hang out with), is also trying to quit...and he's just as bipolar as Dan. Eep. I don't have any advice as of yet, but if you wanna talk or something, you can always PM me. I'm in a somewhat similar situation to you, so I definitely can relate.
