Is it normal for caffine to cause panic attacks?
Yes. Caffeine definitely can induce panic attacks. This is documented in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR). It can induce intoxication, anxiety, sleep, and other NOS symptomology that are subsequently labelled within this manual.
You are probably describing the symptoms associated with the second label (i.e., 2.) detailed below. Don’t worry about the mention of "disorder". It’s just a label to refer to a constellation of symptoms in the manual. I have fit the criteria for the second description, many times, in the past. Kind of a freaky thing to experience…
1. DSM-IV criteria for caffeine intoxication:
Recent consumption of caffeine, usually in excess of 250 mg (more than 2-3 cups of brewed coffee)
Demonstration of 5 or more of the following signs during or shortly after caffeine use:
Restlessness
Nervousness
Excitement
Insomnia
Flushed face
Diuresis
Gastrointestinal disturbance
Muscle twitching
Rambling flow of thought and speech
Tachycardia or cardiac arrhythmia
Periods of inexhaustibility
Psychomotor agitation
The above symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
The symptoms are not due to a general medical condition and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder, such as an anxiety disorder.
2. DSM-IV criteria for caffeine-induced anxiety disorder:
Prominent anxiety predominates in the clinical picture.
There is evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings suggesting that the anxiety developed within 1 month of caffeine intoxication or withdrawal or that medications containing caffeine are etiologically related to the disturbance.
The disturbance is not better accounted for by an anxiety disorder that is not substance-induced.
The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium.
The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
3. DSM-IV criteria for caffeine-induced sleep disorder:
A prominent disturbance in sleep occurs that is sufficiently severe to warrant independent clinical attention.
There is evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings that the sleep disturbance is the direct physiological consequence of caffeine consumption.
The disturbance is not better accounted for by another mental disorder.
The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium.
The disturbance does not meet the criteria for breathing-related sleep disorder or narcolepsy.
The sleep disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
4. DSM-IV criteria for caffeine-related disorder NOS:
This includes any caffeine disorder other than those previously listed.
Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal that are not currently an officially recognized diagnosis are present.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:05 am
It’s not normal for this to happen but it all depends on how much caffeine you drink.
Caffeine is a stimulant and it’s possible to overload your body with it.
My advice would be for you to drink caffeine free coffee and tea for a couple of weeks and see how you feel then.
You’ll probably feel a lot better and you’ll sleep easier too.
References :
November 21st, 2009 at 8:55 am
Yes. Caffeine definitely can induce panic attacks. This is documented in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR). It can induce intoxication, anxiety, sleep, and other NOS symptomology that are subsequently labelled within this manual.
You are probably describing the symptoms associated with the second label (i.e., 2.) detailed below. Don’t worry about the mention of "disorder". It’s just a label to refer to a constellation of symptoms in the manual. I have fit the criteria for the second description, many times, in the past. Kind of a freaky thing to experience…
1. DSM-IV criteria for caffeine intoxication:
Recent consumption of caffeine, usually in excess of 250 mg (more than 2-3 cups of brewed coffee)
Demonstration of 5 or more of the following signs during or shortly after caffeine use:
Restlessness
Nervousness
Excitement
Insomnia
Flushed face
Diuresis
Gastrointestinal disturbance
Muscle twitching
Rambling flow of thought and speech
Tachycardia or cardiac arrhythmia
Periods of inexhaustibility
Psychomotor agitation
The above symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
The symptoms are not due to a general medical condition and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder, such as an anxiety disorder.
2. DSM-IV criteria for caffeine-induced anxiety disorder:
Prominent anxiety predominates in the clinical picture.
There is evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings suggesting that the anxiety developed within 1 month of caffeine intoxication or withdrawal or that medications containing caffeine are etiologically related to the disturbance.
The disturbance is not better accounted for by an anxiety disorder that is not substance-induced.
The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium.
The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
3. DSM-IV criteria for caffeine-induced sleep disorder:
A prominent disturbance in sleep occurs that is sufficiently severe to warrant independent clinical attention.
There is evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings that the sleep disturbance is the direct physiological consequence of caffeine consumption.
The disturbance is not better accounted for by another mental disorder.
The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium.
The disturbance does not meet the criteria for breathing-related sleep disorder or narcolepsy.
The sleep disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
4. DSM-IV criteria for caffeine-related disorder NOS:
This includes any caffeine disorder other than those previously listed.
Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal that are not currently an officially recognized diagnosis are present.
References :
DSM-IV-TR
November 21st, 2009 at 9:41 am
yes ask your phsyhcologist for foods and drus to stear clear of
References :
me