SMOKING.......

[hayles]

I dont know if I am posting this in the right section.
so forgive me if i am in the wrong place!

I have suffered with panic attacks for about 5-6 years on and off!
Lately it has manifested inot what i can anly assume is Health Anxiety.

I worry about my healt all the time, if I have a pain twinge, headache, sore throat, I think that this is it, that I have got some horrible disease and that I am gonna die!

However the strangest thing is that I SMOKE!!!!
Only every now and then, more so when I am having a panic attack
or when I am feeling nervy! I used to smoke about 3 years ago then I gave up and only ever had one if I was really drunk. But just lately when I panic, the first thing I do is smoke.

It is the only thing that calms me down, I guess coz it probabaly regulates my breathing.

I am so stressed out I cannot seem to give them up. I have a few a day, sometimes none, sometimes 10!
I am so scared, coz it is so bad for me but at the mo I havent the strength to quit.

Does anyone else find this, can anyone relate.
Am i a complete Hypocrite worrying about my health and then smoking?

Some advise or friendly words would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Hay x

[joanne87]

Hello Hay,

I completely know where your coming from, when i first got diagnoised with anxiety and panic, i was really bad and the doc signed me off work for two weeks, all i did was panic, smoke (loads) and try to eat. i find that when im having a panic i do tend to smoke and it calms me down, its prob the nicotine and because your also concentrating.

I know smoking is bad for you but at the moment i am a smoker and if it helps calm me down then i will smoke one. i do intend of quitting but not untill i have overcome this anxiety problem, because at the moment it will just cause more stress and prob trigger it.

I hope this is of some help to you.

Jo x x

[hayles]

Thanks Jo,

That does help.
My Partner hates me smoking, but he is coming
round to the idea that at the mo I havent the strength not to
I really wish I did!!!!

Hay x

[joanne87]

I wish id have the strength to quit aswell but at the moment my main priority is the anxiety and depression.
if you dont feel you have the strength to quit at the moment dont try and force yourself, if your partner is coming round to the idea and it is helping you in the short term, dont worry yourself even more by forcing yourself to quit.

You can only quit if you really want to do it and you have the strength to fight it.

[hayles]

I guess sometimes you just have to give yourself a break!

I am getting married in less then 3 months, this is when all the anxiety came back!!!! So at the Mo i gues i just accept that if smiking gets me trough this on a short term then so be it!

Thanks Jo x

Hay x

[joanne87]

Your welcome Hay,

Just re read the post and it sounds abit like im recommending smoking as a short term help, im not lol

If you can, try and find other things to help you through and try not to rely on the cigerettes, you dont have to accept anything especially when it comes to smoking.

Most people smoke because it is a habit and the occasional non/ex smokers tend to smoke when drinking or when needed (i.e bad day) so dont put yourself in the catergory of smoker just yet.

Jo x x

[hayles]

Jo,

I Know. of course we are not recommending it.
We just need to learn not to be too hard on ourselves!

I will Quit this 'social smoking' lark, or at least cut down!!!

wot a donut i worry about my health yet feel better
when i have a fag!!!!! Does not make any sence... lol

Hay x

[joanne87]

i do exactly the same, sit there having a fag, thinking about what if i die from various illnesses and questioning my health while im sitting there smoking away, its crazy i know, but the fact that im sitting there smoking doesnt faze me, its wierd

Jo x x

[hayles]

Jo,

Havent had a fag today so far!


Hay x

[joanne87]

WELL DONE HAY!!!

How is your day going so far?

Jo x