Which three mental illnesses are most commonly associated with smoking behaviors?

The association between certain mental illnesses and smoking behaviors is well-documented in addiction research. The most commonly linked disorders include schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression.

Individuals with schizophrenia have shown significantly higher rates of smoking compared to the general population. This could be due to various factors, including self-medication for symptoms and the effects of smoking on neurotransmitter systems involved in the disorder.

ADHD is also correlated with higher smoking prevalence. Individuals with ADHD may use nicotine to improve attention and focus, though this is often a misguided approach to managing their symptoms.

Depression is another mental illness frequently associated with smoking. People with depression might use cigarettes as a coping mechanism to deal with their emotional pain or to alleviate feelings of sadness.

In this context, the other options are less representative of the primary associations found in research. While anxiety disorders and personality disorders do show some correlation with smoking, they do not have the same strong or clear relationship as the three identified mental illnesses.