As the years go by, the smoker comes to recognize when these symptoms are first starting and rushes off to smoke a cigarette before they get worse. For some smokers, withdrawal is only a minor inconvenience, but for many smokers, it's the most important reason that they have always returned to smoking. The higher your Withdrawal score, the more you need medication to decrease your body's response to being deprived of nicotine. For some suggestions on dealing with nicotine withdrawal, read the Withdrawal Suggestions section that follows. Depressed mood is a common problem-about ten percent of Americans become clinically depressed at some point in their lives.
Many smokers become depressed, or more depressed, after they stop smoking.
The nicotine in cigarettes acts like a mild antidepressant, so some smokers are actually using cigarettes as a form of self-medication. However, since cigarettes are so deadly, these people should find other treatments for their depression. Fortunately, clinical depression can be treated, either with counseling or medication. Getting a proper evaluation and effective treatment for depression is essential for smokers like them. People with a high Depression score should consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for an evaluation.