Could my bipolar disorder be the cause for chainsmoking?!
Question:
Could my bipolar disorder be the cause for chainsmoking?
I am 17, diagnosed as Bipolar 1, I take Seroquel, which I really like, except it makes me really TIRED and DROWSY. But, I smoke cigarettes like a chimney. Could this be caused by my mental illness? I feel that nicotine makes me feel complete.
Answers:
I've been studying the link between smoking and mental illness for awhile. In the past few years, some mental wards and group homes have gone non-smoking and some mental health clients will refuse to go if they cannot smoke.
Nicotine is an anti-depressant.
Approximately:
20% of the general population smokes
50% of people with depression, bi-polar, or anxiety smoke
80-90% of schizophrenics smoke
See section 3.3 - Does smoking causes mental illness? and 3.4 - Does the illness cause smoking? Nicotine use as self-medication:
http://www.ash.org.uk/html/policy/menlit...