| Mental Health and Smoking |
| Written by John Potter | |
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An addiction to smoking can only ruin your health and decrease your life span by a good number of years, as compared to non-smokers. Containing hazardous chemicals like tar, benzene, ethanol, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and arsenic, smoking a cigarette means inhaling poison with every puff. Even passive smoking can aggravate health problems like asthma and other breathing troubles. Studies show that people suffering from mental health disorders, have a tendency to smoke more heavily than the general public. Though people with mental disorders have reported mental alertness, increase in concentration level and relief from tension, anger and anxiety as a result of smoking, it is also true that it affects the absorption of psychiatric drugs, thus worsening the condition of the patients with mental health problems. In today's time, more and more teenagers are indulging in self harming activities like smoking, drinking and even drug abuse. One of the reasons put forward to this rapid change, is the lack of recreation and the extreme pressure that youth of today faces, to perform well in the examinations. Lack of quality time with parents, who are themselves busy making more money, is yet another explanation for the increasing mental health disorders, like depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Considered as a self medication to relieve stress, anxiety and depression, smoking actually causes cardiovascular and respiratory problems, resulting in premature death. One of the reasons why smoking and mental disorders is a deadly combination, is the presence of substances like tar in cigarettes, which stimulate enzymes in the liver and increases metabolism of some anti psychotics, including clozapine, fluphenazine, haloperidol and olanzapine. This results in higher doses of these drugs being needed, which puts a heavy financial burden on the patients, who generally are low on income due to their illness. Not only reducing the effect of psychotic drugs, smoking also increases side effects of anti-psychotic medication, including akathesia (for restlessness) and tardive dyskinesia ( for slower involuntary movements). No matter how simple and general your symptoms may seem, consulting a psychologist or a psychiatrist is advisable. Things like normal headaches and mood swings can also aggravate to some serious problems, like acute depression and panic attacks and in some cases, even suicidal tendencies. To help detect the problem at the right time, getting a mental health assessment makes sense. The assessment consists of a variety of psychometric written and oral tests, besides a face-to-face interaction with the doctor. Proper communication between the patient and the doctor, psychologist or a psychiatrist is very important and crucial for the treatment. While some cases can be solved by just consultation, some may need proper medication, for a period of time. If brushing your teeth or cleaning up the body is important, have you ever thought about cleaning the cobwebs in the mind? Efforts like introducing yoga, meditation, musical concerts and other exercises at the work place, are surely going to confront the increasing mental health problems prevalent today. The increasing number of self-help books and seminars by motivational gurus also increase the mental strength of the employees. To help teenagers cope up with the tremendous examination pressures, almost every school hires a counselor now. The requirements of such professionals, in itself shows how weak and fragile we have become. Succumbing to pressure, many people take bold steps, like drug and alcohol abuse and in extreme cases, committing suicide. Community help centers, social workers are also taking up this serious issue and putting their efforts to make this world a better place to live. Though studies have suggested that smoking has positive effects on patients suffering from Schizophrenia and Alzheimer's, but the consensus remains that the dangers of smoking far outweigh any benefits. There have been differences in opinion whether a ban on smoking on such people should be implemented or not. One of the suggestions made is increasing taxes on tobacco, to promote health and well-being among people with mental health problems and find new strategies to replace smoking. The reason why people with mental heath disorders face problems in cessation of smoking, is the huge amount of determination it requires, to continue the efforts despite repeated unsuccessful attempts. Quitting smoking can sometimes lead to psychotic relapse and depression, which should be treated appropriately. With the changing smoking habits, a simultaneous change in the amount of psychotic medication is necessary. One of the ways to cure the problem of smoking and mental health is the cognitive behavior therapy and participation in self-help groups. Nicotine replacement therapy can also help in cases of Schizophrenia, where smoking withdrawal symptoms are usually confused with the symptoms of the disease. |
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