Caffeine & Mental Health

HildaOgden · 18-02-2018, 12:43 AM

Does anyone find that drinking a lot of caffeine adversely affects their mental health?

Aubergine · 18-02-2018, 12:48 AM

I've cut most of the caffeine out of my diet because I find that it makes my anxiety much worse and also makes it more difficult for me to sleep.

HildaOgden · 18-02-2018, 02:10 AM

thanks for your reply Aubergine.
I cut out caffeine after 2pm for about 6 months but have lapsed on this recently.
I'm wondering whether the caffeine increase is contributing to my low mood.
I've been panicky and anxious recently too.
Think I'll have to cut the caffeine out again. Ho hum.

Aubergine · 18-02-2018, 02:23 AM

You're welcome. :)

Do you know what you find difficult about not drinking caffeine? I find that caffeine free alternatives (cola, tea, coffee etc) taste pretty nice these days. Most cafes do decaffeinated coffee and tea if you ask for it.

You can do it. :) Got to be worth it if it helps with some of the anxiety and panic. Not sure on low mood, but I know for me that anxiety can feed into low mood, so perhaps if you tackle one by reducing /cutting caffeine out, then it'll help your mood too.

HildaOgden · 18-02-2018, 02:34 AM

I feel like I need the caffeine to function as I feel so lacking in energy and oomph. I feel like I'm walking through treacle and as if I just want to curl up in a ball and hide. The caffeine seems to help with energy levels and gives me a boost.
I've got decaff coffee and tea at home and you're right I can ask for decaff coffee and tea when I'm out.
I've got some herbal teas too at home.

It's weird because I feel anxious and panicky at times and yet I feel so lethargic.

Hopefully if I quit the caffeine after 2pm things will even out and my mood will improve.

thanks for taking the time to reply :)

nonperson · 18-02-2018, 11:32 AM

What is the rest of your diet like? Maybe you could swap caffeine for more fruit to give you a healthy boost of energy during the day?

HildaOgden · 18-02-2018, 10:58 PM

the rest of my diet is pretty good. I eat plenty of fruit and veg (I've been doing Slimming world since september) and I don't really drink much alcohol. I drink plenty of water (dry mouth and thirst due to lithium).

HopeRises · 19-02-2018, 12:15 AM

If I have too much caffine I definitely feel it affects my MH. I tend to have a cup of tea in the morning first thing and then maybe a coffee at lunch time sometimes and that's about it. One day I drank 5 or so coffees and omg it was awful.

Cutting it out or having less is probably a good thing as it isn't really overly good for you. Also, make sure your eating enough carbohydrates, that should help with energy levels along with fresh fruit and veg.