Caffeine - Does it effect your peace of mind? It can make me agitated if I have too much.

[optimismrus]

I'm lowering my caffeine intake, and it helps so much with anxiety. I'm going to try to remember and not forget that too much makes me agitated. I like coffee, but I only need one cup in the morning and I can enjoy a few cups of decaf before late afternoon. I feel better and I'm sleeping better, too. Does too much have a negative effect on you?

[faucet]

I gave caffeine up years ago due to my anxiety, after a while didnt miss it at all.

[AnonymousUsername13 in reply to faucet]

I gave it up about 6 months ago, myself. I hadn't missed it, but after covid & complications from it i wasn't able to exercise for 3 months. After that, i slowly had to build back up to how much i did before then, & i was gaining weight. Everything is identical, food intake, amount of exercise (& i was doing really well), & the only difference is caffeine. So, I'm starting to go on a diet now (1st time ever) to take off the 15 lbs i gained since then. I'm not sure of the caffeine is what the issue was, but it's the only difference from the 3 years before covid & the 8 months since i had it (i gave it up because i had severe panic attacks during covid issues, & after i thought i was well, it induced severe panic attacks, so i stopped to see if that helped. It helped tremendously).

[faucet in reply to AnonymousUsername13]

I had to give it up. Couldn't handle the way it made me feel, heightened anxiety, fidgeting, could not relax, sleep. Drank caffeine free coffee for a while, but most still have a little caffeine in it so gave it up completely and don't miss it at all. I did miss cola, but if I want one now I get a caffeine free. I love the smell of coffee, especially when you open a new can but do not miss drinking it at all.

[AnonymousUsername13]

I have learned i can't have any caffeine, even tea. It makes my anxiety go through the roof, & causes panic attacks from my intrusive thoughts & rumination.

Edit: to be more clear, if i have intrusive thoughts or rumination (which is fairly common for me) while I'm on any caffeine, i can't calm myself down. Went to ER 6 times in almost 2 years, every time thinking i was having a heart attack, & every time i was in caffeine or pseudoephedrine (for sinuses but it's a stimulant as well). So, i gave it up & thankfully have been great since. I wish i had more energy, tho.

[catsrock]

Too much definitely has an effect on me. It's too bad because I love it! I too limit myself to one cup and then try to avoid any other caffeine the rest of the day.

[PandaBlues]

I have a cup of coffee in the morning but that’s it. I find if I have much more than that - especially in the afternoon time my anxiety kicks up.

I’ve found that putting chamomile in my daily water cup (I make an herbal tincture) and having a hot cup of chamomile tea at night greatly helps with my anxiety and allows me to move through the day much more relaxed.

But I can’t give up my coffee completely! So one cup in the morning it is! ☺️

[Thankfulforhelp22]

I limit my caffeine intake as it can make me agitated. I like to have a cup of coffee sometimes in the morning as a jumpstart. It helps my mood and energy. I am being careful not to make it a habit because I think it can raise blood pressure. Moderation.