Bipolar and caffeine

[red_sands]

I am super sensitive to caffeine, about 98% of the time when I drink it it triggers hypo-mania or full blown mania (I am rapid cycling).

I was just wondering if this was a 'me' thing or if other people with Bipolar disorder also found this?

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

[Tig]

I haven't got bipolar but I have two friends who do and like you, they are super-sensitive to caffeine. x

[Duck]

Gets me hypomania or panic. Am schizoaffective.

[Bellatrix]

I don't have bipolar, but I have BPD and have manic/hypomanic episodes. High levels of caffeine trigger these for me too.

I find it helpful to drink water between caffinated drinks (if you're like me and can't quit them :P)

[HopeRises]

I am not hypersensitive, I can drink cola,tea and coffee but I am rubbish with energy drinks.

[random.swirls]

I don't like coffee but I do love my Diet Coke and it doesn't trigger manic episodes but it does impact on my sleep if I drink it to late in the day.

Mind you my manic episodes are very rare I only have one a year or so

[Bellatrix]

Actually, thinking about it, i'm not sure on cause/effect. Because when i'm high i'm less likely to be sleeping and more likely to be drinking caffeine. So maybe the cause/effect isn't clear.

[Ballerina123]

If I'm already in an episode (like now) or I'm on the edge of one it pushes me over the edge a bit and make the episode so much more intense.

It is very common for caffeine to cause hypo/manias (or similar symptoms) even in those without bipolar. It is Afterall a stimulant and some people are just very sensitive to it.

I would suggest not drinking caffeine at all if it makes your bp worse.

[Emmabob.]

not overly sensitive [in my own opinion, although other people may say differently], a cup of coffee can kick episodes off :/

[Fry]

I would say coffee used to accentuate my hyperactivity during hypomanic / manic states. But it couldn't lift me out of a depression and into a different mood state alone, certainly. It also would make my anxiety worse, however it helped motivation wise during low spells.

I would say that considering that you are rapid cycling, avoiding caffeine altogether would be beneficial and I'd strongly advise it. Caffeine is a mood altering substance at the end of the day, however socially acceptable and not something that is good for anyone who is experiencing a bipolar episode of elated nature.

I have found it nigh on impossible to follow this advice in the past during symptomatic phases in the past, so can totally understand if you would find it difficult to stop drinking coffee. As of course, judgement isn't a strong point during these phases.