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Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
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Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
Jennifer Kern is a tobacco treatment specialist, certified through the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center.
Her counseling work addresses various aspects of tobacco addiction, including the love-hate relationship many tobacco users have with their smoking or chewing, education about nicotine addiction, and effective strategies to help with quitting.
In addition, she explores the importance of getting emotional and social support when stopping tobacco use, and offers ideas and suggestions about how to ask for and give this support.
Being bilingual, she enjoys counseling in both Spanish and English. She holds a master's degree in psychology, with interests including spirituality, psychosomatic illness, depression and anxiety, maladaptive coping behaviors, and overall health behavior change.
"As a former smoker, I am personally familiar with the complexity of dealing with the 'tobacco shackles,' " she said. "I am committed to helping others conquer this addiction so they may regain their freedom and possibly even save their own lives."
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Quit smoking blog
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Nov. 19, 2008
Tobacco use and mental health
By Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
Tobacco use is very common among those who struggle with depression or other mental illness. One main reason for this is, like other drugs, nicotine can function as a sort of self-medication.
Most types of mental illness are associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain. When you smoke, nicotine stimulates the release of many of the chemicals that are related to mood disorders, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
These chemicals can not only make you feel good, but also help by improving the imbalances that can hinder normal functioning. When you stop smoking this extra chemical release also stops, creating a deficit in the availability of these "feel good" chemicals. The result can be an increase in depressed mood, difficulty concentrating or feeling anxious.
It is important to recognize any symptoms of depression or anxiety that you may experience. Changes in mood and behavior can occur when you stop smoking, even without a previous history of depression or other psychiatric disease. Media reports in recent months have also related mood disorders with the use of Chantix. It is possible there may be a link, but stopping smoking, even without Chantix, can cause similar symptoms.
While going through the quit process, pay attention to your mood and if you notice any changes contact your doctor. If you are already taking medication for a mood disorder or other mental illness it is important to let your prescriber know that you are quitting smoking. Some of the chemicals in tobacco impact the way your body metabolizes medications, so your doctor may need to adjust the dosing once you quit in order for you to continue to get the best effect from those medications.
If you've spent a long time using tobacco to help manage your moods or stress, it becomes a natural default to want to smoke when you are feeling upset, lonely, depressed or overwhelmed. In addition to getting proper treatment for any type of mental illness, it is also important to find new techniques for proactively managing your mood and coping with stress. Talk to a counselor, a spiritual or religious leader, or other helping professional who may be able to offer guidance on how to develop the skills you need to effectively deal with unpleasant emotions in the absence of tobacco use.
15 comments posted
November 17, 2009 7:10 p.m.
Hi, I'm a student at Metro State of Denver. I'm researching a new product possibility; the product would be a "Quit Smoking" aide that offers a stepping down approach. I am a former smoker myself but I'm addicted to Commit lozenges and they contain nicotine. I would still buy them if they had zero mg of nicotine but they don't offer that. I would like to market a product that does. Anyways, I made this survey for my research project and it would really help me if anyone could take it [smokers, former smokers, and non-smokers are all welcome] Thanks so much. -- Casey Here's the link to the survey. http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/206243/r2zgt
- Casey
October 12, 2009 10:28 a.m.
Smoking is a terrible and self-perpetuating way of dealing with stress, anxiety, tension and agitation. I believe the high prevalence of smoking amoungst those with mental health issues is one of several factors maintaining the condition. 80% of smokers smoke to relax but smoking makes you less relaxed and more tense because it is a powerful stimulant. Learn several methods of rapid relaxation and use that to replace the nicotine urges - those urges are simply poor automatic strategies to reduce or distract from internal discomfort and tension.
- Mark Davis
May 26, 2009 6:19 p.m.
I have been quit for 1 Week, 3 Days, 18 hours, 14 minutes and 11 seconds (10 days). I have saved $16.13 by not smoking 215 cigarettes. I have saved 17 hours and 55 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 5/15/2009 11:59 PM I'm using wellbutrin and nicorette patch...It's still not been easy. But after 20 plus years smoking a pack a day and very few and poor attempts, this is my best so far. I feel confident I can make it thru today. I don’t want to go back to smoking. But I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I have a question; I'm a little concerned how the patch will alter my Nicotine withdrawal symptoms?
- Panama
May 12, 2009 8:35 a.m.
Does anyone know if you can take Chantix and the patch at the same time?
- SSO
March 19, 2009 11:40 p.m.
I am a former Marine, I started smoking in the military, about 50 years ago during training, the instructors would not let us smoke unless all of us smoke. We needed to do everything as a team. My fellow marines would buy me cigarettes, so we all could smoke. That was half a century ago. I was a social smoker, I smoke about 4 to 6 cigarettes a day and never a full pack, for over 50 years. The VA give me a kit to stop smoking, however I never used, I decided to cut to 2 or 3 cigarettes a day and eventually to 0. I walk or run 10 to 25 miles, do 5 hours Physical Training and 5 hours of Weight Training per week. I still use the same Training Manual I used during active duty, except I do not do the swimming or rope climbing exercises, since i an not near the ocean or do not have these facilities. I live in the upper Midwest, as a result I do not walk or run when there is ice on the road or the temperature gets below 0 degrees. So far so good, I still have a cigarette after my main meals. if I want another cigarette, i usually drink a glass or water. I always drunk about a Gallon of water and eat 6 small meals daily about 3500 calories. I have not observe any gain or loss of weight, my weight is normal for my height and age. Good luck to all of you in reaching your goals, I too expect to reach my objective.
- Marine
March 12, 2009 11:02 a.m.
Well, it's been another month. I am on week nine now without a cigarette. I did buy some Nicorette. and it helps .
- cindy
February 4, 2009 12:44 p.m.
Chantix helped me the first two weeks, then started making me sick so I didn't renew the prescription. I haven't had a cigarette for a month. All I want to do is sleep---like l6 hours a day. Each day I feel myself sinking deeper into depression. I need to get into an exercise program so badly. When the weight gain starts I don't know if I can hold out ot not. I am 65 and have smoked 46 years.
- cindy
January 6, 2009 9:47 a.m.
I am currently on day 3 of not smoking, after 23 yrs, this is an emotional rollercoaster, I believe quitting is about willpower, straight and simple. I wish I had never made the choice to pick up that first cigerette. I agree with you Alison, How could this be legal!?, but its the choices WE made. Good luck to ALL!
- Shannon
December 14, 2008 1:04 p.m.
43 yr smoker! I'm just mad that something so additive & that will kill you is legal! I'm 14 days off with the patch and counting. Each day is a struggle some worse than others. I have tried this many times only to back slid with the "just one" game...not going there this time with God's help!!! It just boggles my mind how the tobacco company and the goverment support this "killer" product. I'm anger...don't let them have you keep up the hard work and break free!
- Alison
December 10, 2008 10:30 a.m.
I'm 65. Smoked for 50 years. Stopped 3 months ago. It is so difficult. The above comments reflect my own experience. I hope to continue to be a non-smoker and wish you all success as well.
- karren
November 29, 2008 4:23 a.m.
I signed up for the Mayo newsletters a couple of years ago and I am so glad I came across this blog! I have smoked for over 40 years (I'm 58) and have almost quit so many times. I am just sick and tired (literally and figuratively) of being a smoker. I live in a remote rural area so "going to the gym" etc. cracks me up with the mere concept. Winter is hard because I get cooped up inside and not out riding my horse. I refuse to smoke around hay. Just reading your tips has helped. I know when I set artificial deadlines (like New Year's) I backslide, feel cruddy, and then smoke more. Reading your advise has really been a big help to me! If you can do it, Carol, so can I. Thank you everyone! Candace
- Candace
November 26, 2008 10:47 p.m.
I just celebrated 6 months of not smoking after 50yrs as an addict!!!I used Chantix for only 10 days since I had severe side affects which ceased after stoping this dangerous drug.I work out, weights & machines 3 days a week and walk every day for at least 45mins or more at a decent pacew which I keep on increasing. I also chew gum, suck lolypops, eat lots of vegetables and gave my face a treat. I suggest that you tell everyone you know or meet that you gave up cigarettes. This will re-enforce your will to continue. It has been a daily stuggle but I never want to go back to that disgusting habit but I still miss it. I am 67years old and very sorry I did not do this when I was younger but no one can tell you when the time is right--only you. Good Luck
- Carol
November 26, 2008 9:15 a.m.
I have PTSD, MPD and allegedly bipolar, although it feels pretty unipolar to me (depression). Quitting smoking has been incredibly difficult but I've done it 3 times for 9 months only to fall back during a mental crisis. I'm currently quit. Nicotine Anonymous, a 12-step program, was what kept me quit--faith is what gave me the courage to keep going through the tough times.
- Jan
November 25, 2008 10:07 a.m.
My boyfriend and I stopped smoking 10 days ago. Cold turkey. Something neither one of us ever thought we could do. It's not easy. We've replaced smoking with snacking for now. We've been smoking for over 35yrs.
- Terry
November 20, 2008 8:46 a.m.
I've worked with people who are trying to kick the habit... it makes a huge difference if there is some sort of coping mechanism that can take the place of the tobacco... Trying to kick it without replacing it with something is a disaster.. it just leaves a painful vacuum.
- James Thomas
15 comments posted