anxiety vs caffeine

DeeBoy · 13-11-2008, 09:45 PM

I'm wondering if not drinking coffee or tea can help with anxiety? Doctors and medication say avoid caffeine at all costs, I drink about 5 cups a day.

I suppose I could cut down, but I'm sure I would find it very hard as I love my cup of coffee.

Thanks for the advice. (in advance)

Wonderful. · 13-11-2008, 09:58 PM

Well, Caffeine is a stimulant, therefore it can make hyper and jittery etc, add that to anxiety... I don't think it is a very good idea to be having lots! I would stick to the doctors and medication recommendation.

Cutting back sounds like a good idea.

=]

Stellata · 13-11-2008, 10:01 PM

I can't handle drinking coffee. I also found relief from the worst of anxiety stuff when I gave up chocolate for about 6 months. I'm now able to eat it in moderation infrequently.
Listen to your body and what it's saying, in terms of how food effects you.
I even get severe anxiety reactions when eating doughnuts or sweet biscuits - so I avoid them, too.

You! Me! Dancing! · 13-11-2008, 11:32 PM

I have problems with anxiety attacks.. but am also extremely addicted to caffeine.

Currently on 10-12 mugs a day, and pro plus too sometimes. It no longer affects me in the normal way.. I'm drinking it now and I will have no problems trying to get sleep, and I feel dead until I've had my caffine on a morning..

As far as I can tell, it doesn't really affect my anxiety.. if anything I feel more anxious until I've HAD my caffeine..but I know it can make some peoples anxiety worse..depends how you react to it I guess. If you're drinking 5 cups a day, I'm guessing your body is fairly used to it? If you don't drink any and then started drinking it you'd react to it more..

Maybe just cut down on it and see if you notice any difference?

[pretty on the inside] · 14-11-2008, 08:13 AM

I used to take pro plus constantly and my therapist told me it was contributing to my anxiety. I cut down and felt a bit better.

sherlock holmes · 14-11-2008, 01:27 PM

Caffeine does make people jittery so it might be worth cutting down on the amount you drink (slowly, you dont want to shock your body by suddenly stopping it).

This is why I don't drink tea/coffee full stop. I don't want to become one of those people that can't function until they've had caffeine!