[Guest]

Dear sir,

It was back in 1983 that I was beaten by a boyfreind of a girl. To give you a brief account, I hadn’t done anything to deserve the punishment. It was just some misunderstanding. Anyway I did not communicate it to her at that time or ever in future but felt very angry inside. That day when I went home and I must have smoked excessive number of cigarettes. My heartbeat raced and then I felt palpitations. Those palpitation from then on became a regular feature of my life and were diagnosed as being ventricular extrasystoles. The extrasystoles would bother me some part of the day only and I adjusted to them as per instructions of my doctor as being nothing. A year later I suppose I got my first attack of depression as I felt very angry inside and didn’t feel like doing anything. I would lie down for all day long wondering if palpitations would go away. I just thought that they were part of anxiety that I was having. I did not realise at time that I am going thru depression as I did not know anything about it at that time. That period must have lasted for 3 months or so and as I was going thru an examination break of my college those days passed of albeit with some discomfort. I continued to have extrasystoles but was cured of depression after this 3 month period.
I passed of fifteen years with only palpitations without any symptoms of depression till now. I had given up smoking and tea and was very comfortable with occasional palpitations. Now all of a sudden I had to change my job. Some days later I realised that I was in the midst of a depression. I have full symptoms of moderate depression since last eight months. On the other hand the palpitations have vansihed now.
I have studied depression from a number of books. I have come to the believe that that initial excessive amount of smoking that I did was responsible for my the palpitations and depression. But I do not find any mention of depression being related to excessive smoking.
Now my question to you is, has smoking been investigated as a cause of depression and what do you think I should be doing to cure my depression? If you would like to ask any further questions regarding my history please let me know.

[Guest]

I am not aware of every study. I do know of a finding that people who have a history of depression are at great risk of depression when they quit smoking. Although Buproprion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) may help people with no depressive history, it is even more useful in those with a history of depression. This would suggest some connection. Indeed the nicotinic system which is stimulated by cigrettes is found throughout the brain including some primitive parts of the brain. It would be possible to imagine a chemical influence when the receptors are cut off from their nicotene. Of course, nicotene is not the only mediator of the urge to smoke, but it too can be involved in depression. I wonder about the use of either Buproprion or a nicotene replacement or both. The SR form and slow titration (slow increases up) may help protect from a return of palpitations. This would involve a consultation with a doctor that knows something about smoking cessation.
[quote] Dear sir,

It was back in 1983 that I was beaten by a boyfreind of a girl. To give you a brief account, I hadn’t done anything to deserve the punishment... [/quote]