Health
You Can Still Quit Smoking
Depression isn't going to stop you from kicking the tobacco habit. New research shows better than expected prospects for people who want to quit or cut down smoking, but believe their history of depression will prevent them.
The study by researchers from Brown University School of Medicine and Miriam Hospital in Providence, R.I., counters earlier reports that said those with a history of depression have greater difficulties quitting smoking. The new report is in the November issue of Nicotine & Tobacco Research, the official peer-reviewed quarterly journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.
Dr. Raymond Niaura, lead author, says of the 133 smokers in the study, 41 had a history of depression -- but that did not affect any of them in their efforts to quit smoking. He says patients in the study reduced their smoking rate by about 80 percent and 15 were able to kick the habit entirely.
The study does find, however, that about a month after quitting, the participants did show an increase in depressive symptoms. Niaura says while depression doesn't affect the ability to quit smoking, it may be a predictor of those who relapse and begin smoking again.
To get support from other ThirdAgers, stop by the Smoking Support Group Forum.
The study by researchers from Brown University School of Medicine and Miriam Hospital in Providence, R.I., counters earlier reports that said those with a history of depression have greater difficulties quitting smoking. The new report is in the November issue of Nicotine & Tobacco Research, the official peer-reviewed quarterly journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.
Dr. Raymond Niaura, lead author, says of the 133 smokers in the study, 41 had a history of depression -- but that did not affect any of them in their efforts to quit smoking. He says patients in the study reduced their smoking rate by about 80 percent and 15 were able to kick the habit entirely.
The study does find, however, that about a month after quitting, the participants did show an increase in depressive symptoms. Niaura says while depression doesn't affect the ability to quit smoking, it may be a predictor of those who relapse and begin smoking again.
To get support from other ThirdAgers, stop by the Smoking Support Group Forum.
