Do smokers have a kind of mental block that keeps them from understanding the dangers of smoking?
Question:
Answers:
I think people are just of the mentality of "it won't happen to me". That, or the addiction overrules the risks. I personally smoke, and there's times where I'll think about the damage I'm doing, and think that I'm going to quit, but I won't.
I don't deny the health risks etc however. I'm open and able to admit that I am stupid :)
Other Answers:
they are addicted
Why do you feel it's your job to change people? Control issue.? People will do or not do what they choose.
And yet, cigarettes are THAT powerful.
They aren't in denial. People have their own reasons, and not until they or someone dear to them gets sick (if then), will they quit.
Let it go.
They gain weight in a very short time, when they quit. Addiction is a powerful physical and psychological force. Sometimes it might seem that a cigarette addict is blinded to the dangers of cigarettes because of the power of their addiction, but the truth is simpler. Human beings will ignore the dangers of an activity if the benefits are immediate, yet the dangers are remote. For example, drivers who speed have the immediate benefit of getting places more quickly, yet the danger of an accident isn't fully realized because accidents don't happen often or immediately. The stronger the immediate benefit, and the more remote the risk, the more inclined someone is to partake in the activity. Obviously, cigarette smoking has an extremely powerful immediate benefit for people who are addicted to nicotine, and the risks of cigarettes often don't become noticeable for years into the future. That is a recipe for irrational behavior.
The question still beckons, don't speeding drivers realize that accidents are dangerous, and don't smokers realize smoking is lethal? Not entirely, because immediate benefits make remote risks very convenient to ignore.
Another excellent example of this is relationships. Why do so many people stay in relationships that are abusive and painful? The answer is the same. its just a psychological decease they think that by smoking they will be more mature and people will call them ( man )
they dont trust them self they feel that cigarette complete their masculinity
and they dont know that each cigarette decrease 5 minutes from their life Re: Smoking
I would rephrase your question as to:
a) do the chemicals in cigs directly cause denial?
b) what is the nature of a smoking addition?
c) what is the nature of heath related denial?
a) No. Cigarrette chemicals, specifically, nicotine, the addictive substance in cigs, does not directly cause denial, its actually more a question of answering b and c.
b) Polysubstance abusers, what physicians call atients who are addicted to many things, i.e. heroine, smoking, alcohol, have told me that quiting smoking is sometimes harder than quiting heroine -- which puts things into perspective. Often, people have to try to quit a FEW times, before actually succeeding -- which, since we are all both failure adverse, as well as usually dishearted by failure, makes quiting quite a moutain to climb.
Given how hard it is to quit, brings me to c:
C) Preventive heath is one of the hardest things we do; have you ever been told by your doctor to take an entire course of pills, for just one week, but by day 5 have forgotten to take them? have you ever been told to exercise daily, but don't? eat right, every day, but don't? gone out to party even though you knew you had an exam the next day? decided one more M&M won't hurt? Or, not change the oil in your car even though they recommend every 3K miles, because you're busy? Forget to check the tire pressure each time you stop for gas?
Its because the GAIN is not immediate or obvious. The best example is patients in the hospital -- they are severely ill, and at that time, promise to do everything right -- but by the time they are better, soon forget.
Some say this is an ingrained part of human nature -- a coping skill that allows us to forget past events; and not become overwhelmed by the fear of future events. It is the "animal" in us, that keeps our brains from bringing us down.
So, SMOKERS, are in denial, because the benifits, i.e. I feel good, calm, better, cool, whatever, are IMMEDIATE, but the dangers are "far off" in the distant future . . . and not either obvious or real . . . how to make it real to them is the trick: they have to imagine themselves 20 years from now, walking around in a walker, due to smoke damaged lungs, while their friends go golfing. And even then, they have to be able to think, it might happen to ME!
Because they will always quote you the "fact" that they know somebody who is 80 and is healthy who smoked all their life. To which one can respond: here is a gun, it is loaded with three bullets. By smoking every day for 10 years, you are saying, well, i'm willing to pull the trigger once -- because, heck, that dude over there didn't die, I wont. If you want to pull that trigger, that is your life decision -- but don't pretend the gun has no bullets.
Finally, getting them to imagine that end is "life specific" -- its been show that young adults do NOT respond to fear; show a anti-smoking comercial about the terrible heath risks of smoking to a teen, and they won't believe it will happen to them; show it to a 50 year old who had had friends die, of anything, and it may work. Show a team how smoking isn't cool, however, and it just might work.
So, the answer is, its not the smoking that makes one deny, its the smoking that makes it hard to quit; it is our human nature that puts us in denial . . .
Keep well, keep healthy.
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As Stated: youqa.com is provided for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information on this site. No health information on youqa.com, including information about herbal therapies and other dietary supplements, is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Smoking is not the number one cause of death to start with but yes it is bad for you. People smoke for many different reasons. Stress, addiction, ignorance(and by that I mean they don't know the adverse effects of tobacco products) or just because they enjoy it.
Why do people overeat. Obesity is the leading cause of Type II Diabetes. They are even linking it to certain types of cancer.
Why do people drive too fast. Accidents are the NUMBER 1 cause of death in the US. I don't mean just cars but accidents in general.
Why do people take drugs, practice unsafe sex, drink alcohol, eat chocolate cake, ride a motorcycle, or do not participate in regular exercise.
Why do people not eat a balanced diet. Being underweight can be extremly taxing on the body.
I could go on and on.
May people that smoke are sick to death of listening to non smokers or the worst yet re-formed smokers lecture them about the obvious.
Every one knows there are things that are harmful. I just wish people would give the cigarette thing a rest.
How are people going to feel when the government starts taxing foods that are fattening or if you weigh over a certain amount have to pay extra or even be refused medical insurance? This is coming. Maybe you might be too thin. What if you don't weigh enough. Everone knows how important a balanced diet is to one's health. Maybe if you don't weigh enough they will deny you medical insurance.
Enough with the lectures especially when you don't have the information correct.
I would like to add I DO NOT advocate smoking. It is a terrible, nasty addictive habit.
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