According to the most recent data released by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 41% of patients with mental illness are regular smokers. In comparison, the rate of normal smokers is still lower at 18%. For doctors and mental health counselors, deciding whether to recommend patients to quit smoking or not is also a difficult question.
Given that stress and anxiety can worsen symptoms of mental illness, should doctors advise patients to quit smoking? Or should health professionals stop smoking despite knowing that smoking leads to serious illnesses such as cancer and other physical problems?
Psychological patient parameters smoking
According to NAMI data, the following groups of psychiatric patients have the highest smoking rates.
70% of patients with bipolar disorder smoke.
90% of schizophrenic patients smoke.
60% of patients with depression smoke.
60% of patients with PSTD smoke.
56% of patients with panic disorder smoke.
A recent vaping study published by the South London and Maudsley (SLaM) National Health Service Foundation Trust suggests that patients who vape may be able to live better lives without experiencing symptoms associated with their disease. The study has been updated in the US National Library of Medicine.
The SLaM research team began their study with 35 studies involving nearly 24,000 patients with a range of mental health conditions. They observed and tested patients over several years who used vapes to measure changes in anxiety levels, physical conflict, illness, and other symptoms.
The SLaM study was further supported by research from MHSP in Great Britain. According to MHSP, psychiatric patients required higher nicotine concentrations than regular vapers. They also vaped for longer periods of time. Perhaps the most significant finding of the study was the conclusion that vaping could add 20 years to the life expectancy of psychiatric patients.
This study shows that the life expectancy of mental health patients is shortened not only because of the disease, but also because of the sky-high smoking rate. Based on this well-founded research, vaping is healthier and better for health, and mental health professionals should be encouraged to use vaping as a way to reduce the harm of smoking.
Source: Vapes.com - Matt Rowland
Translated by: The Vape Club
