I'm on my 15th day of quitting smoking, I feel depressed and hopeless?

congrats!! experts say it only takes 30 days to break a habit, and you're half way there!!

I started a site for people to help each other anonymously. It's new, but hopefully it will help a lot of people.

http://www.somebodylisten.com/

Congrats on stopping! You're going through bad withdrawal. Yes, it can be hell. No, you shouldn't have to put up with it. Go to your doctor and get a prescription for Wellbutrin, it's a stop smoking med (dopamine reuptake inhibitor) that's also an antidepressant. It should get you past the rough spot.

Yep. When I quit smoking I felt the same way. I finally figured out it was because I was mourning the loss of smoking. Maybe it sounds silly, but I missed my morning smoke with coffee, and I missed having a glass of wine and a cigarette. It was worse when I was home alone so I tried to do social things and activities that involved cardio so I could start to appreciate my new and improved lung capacity! Hang in there, it will pass, and if you still feel that way after awhile, talk to your doctor.

I never smoked, but I saw that someone pushed antidepressants at you. Those drugs mostly work thru placebo effect - they are no more effective than a sugar pill, but they have lots of wonderful side effects, like severe sexual dysfunction. Google kirsch antidepressants for an intro to the antidepressant controversy.

Generic Practical Depression tips (PRINT THEM OUT):

The library has self-help books on depression.

Many meds cause or worsen depression, including birth control, blood pressure, pain, acne, antipsychotic, anxiety (benzos) or sleeping medications, alcohol, illicit drugs and MANY others.

Hypothyroidism mimics depression . Too little sleep, or sleep disorders like sleep apnea, or interrupted sleep (crying baby, barking dog) can cause depression.

If depression is worse in winter, use a light box (10,000 Lux (light intensity) at about 20” - about $300 online, you don't need full spectrum, Sunray is a good brand). I have extra windows, painted the walls peach & yellow & have a skylight. There's a link to a cheaper lightbox & more info at psycheducation.org. Also you can try 1000 to 2000 IU of Vitamin D in winter. It may work, or may be placebo treatment.

Try meditation like progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery. See The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook by Edmund Bourne. Free 15 minute guided imagery at healthjourneys.com and many free meditations at youtube.

Go out with friends, & if you don't have any, join a club e.g. hobby club, bowling league & MAKE yourself go. “Isolating” makes depression worse!

Exercise 1/2 hour a day, & anytime you feel depressed or anxious. LOTS OF RESEARCH SUPPORTS THIS as the most effective depression treatment of all.

Insomnia?: Go to bed & get up the same time each day, even weekends. Don't use your bedroom to watch TV, read or use the computer. Don't do stuff that revs you up before bed, like exercising & using the computer. Light from computer screens & TV wakes you up. Blue light is the worst offender – dim the lights and use an old-fashioned incandescent bulb the last hour. Make the bedroom very dark, even cover up the clock. Mask disturbing sounds with a fan or try soundsleeping.com or youtube, etc. Avoid caffeine after noon.

Put colorful, happy things around the house. Do nice things for yourself. Make a list of things that make you happy, like: bread fresh from the oven, the crisp sound of a saltine cracker breaking, fresh sheets on the bed, touching frost on the windowpane, etc. Read that list when you are down. Use comforting scents. I like vanilla & cloves.

Work on time management if you are overwhelmed. Cut back on other responsibilities so you can spend more time with friends & family. Ask for help with chores.

Spend more time with your pet, if you have one.

DON'T listen to sad music! Listen to upbeat stuff- same with movies & novels.

DISTRACT yourself. Read a novel, watch a comedy, go out with friends, play cards or a video game, whatever keeps your mind busy.

Volunteer. Helping others makes you feel better about yourself & you make a difference, too. If you are religious, your religion may help keep you involved in the community.

Put a half-smile on your face. Changing your expression is proven to help change mood.

Try free computerized cognitive behavioral therapy at moodgym.anu.edu.au. Also, if you have an abuse history, it is likely to be a major cause of your depression.

yes thats normal. i quit smoking 2 months ago. ppl was askin me if somebody died cause i was depressed. if the depression gets worse i suggest going to get anti depressents. hope i helped