Anxiety and Smoking

Approximately 27 million Americans (about 15% of the American population) will suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

Types of Anxiety:

• Agoraphobia
  
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder(GAD)
  
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCS)
  
• Panic Disorder (PD)
  
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  
• Social Phobia (SP)
  

The degree of anxiety in three of the above -- Agoraphobia, Generalizaed Anxiety Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder -- has been shown to be more intense in smokers than non-smokers.

Anxiety and Relationship to Smoking:
An alarming study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and involving nearly 700 teens has revealed that "adolescents who smoked more than a pack a day were nearly 6 times more likely to develop generalized anxiety disorder and nearly 16 times more likely to develop panic disorder." The research was conducted at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University.

No question about it, there is an undeniable link between smoking and the anxiety smokers feel.

Researches at NIDA have speculated that impaired respiration and the potentially damaging effects of nicotine on blood vessels to the brain may help explain why the adolescents who smoked more than a pack were at an increased risk of developing anxiety disorders.

There is additional speculation that smoking increases the risk of depression. The study identifies three distinct types of anxiety disorder associated with smoking. (Full text of the paper, "Association Between Cigarette Smoking and Anxiety Disorders During Adolescence and Early Adulthood" (JAMA. 2000;284;2348-2351) is available by calling the American Medical Association's Science News Department at 312-464-5374 or on its website at: www.jama.com).

You may also wish to procure a copy of "The Smoke Stops Here!" (http://www.thesmokestop.com), containing a very solid and unique approach to preventing teens and preteens from acquiring the smoking habit.

What You Can Do:
Anxiety is treatable, both through medication and therapy. There is no reason to allow any fear to prevail upon you as a result of an anxiety disorder. If you suffer from an anxiety, have a heart-to-heart with your medical doctor. If you smoke, quit.

TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE, TODAY, NOW AND FOREVER... Quit Instantly Quit Easily Quit Peacefully Deluxe 3-CD Edition........$97 Now just......................$67 Paperback....................$16 Yes! We've got MP3 available for those who don't wish to wait another moment! Just call us at 512-440-7563 for download instructions! This program is fully refundable for 30 days! Simply call us at 512-440-7563 for instructions on our return policy. www.thesmokestop.com