Caffeine can be found in a variety of substances, beverages, and foods. For those looking for a little jolt to get through the day or for those looking to wake up in the morning, caffeine can be found in pills, chewing gum, coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee creamer, and many other substances to help people wake up and stay awake.
However, there are several different types of caffeine-related psychiatric disorders that are caused by the over-consumption of caffeine.
Facts About Caffeine Usage
Caffeine, according to R. Gregory Lande of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Substance Abuse Program, is the world’s most popular and favorite psychoactive substance. Coffee, which is how American adults consume up to two-thirds of their daily intake of caffeine, is the second most traded commodity in the world. Petroleum is the number one substance.
The average American consumes 219 mg of caffeine daily, much more than the average 79 mg that is consumed by individuals worldwide. With adults consuming a large portion of caffeine from coffee and children consuming half of their caffeine intake from soft drinks, it is also becoming increasingly easy to overdose on caffeine, which the American Psychiatric Association defines as consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine in a day.
Energy drinks, chocolate, hot and iced tea, and other substances such as pain relievers, cold medication, and other energy-boosting products account for caffeine consumption.
Caffeine-Related Psychiatric Disorders
Lande’s report of caffeine-related psychiatric disorders, published by Medscape, describes four types of these disorders.
Caffeine Intoxication
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, caffeine intoxication occurs after an individual has consumed more than 250 mg of caffeine within a short amount of time, usually a couple of hours. This equates to about 2-3 cups of brewed coffee, each one measured at 8 ounces.
Symptoms of caffeine intoxication include restlessness, insomnia, flushed face, muscle tremors, and psychomotor agitation. Those who may be experiencing these symptoms and possibly others can be diagnosed with caffeine intoxication as long as these symptoms cannot be attributed to other pre-existing conditions and disorders.
Symptoms and effects of caffeine intoxication can cause a person to experience heightened frustration, distressed social function, and difficulty communicating with others.
Caffeine-Induced Anxiety Disorder
Caffeine-induced anxiety disorder is often an after effect of caffeine intoxication, develops within one month after someone has experienced caffeine intoxication. Symptoms are generally similar to traditional anxiety disorders with the exception of the cause - caffeine consumption.
Caffeine-Induced Sleep Disorder
Individuals suffering from caffeine-induced sleep disorder experience interruptions in sleeping patterns and the inability to sleep due to the over consumption of caffeine. These symptoms lead to a caffeine-related diagnoses as long as symptoms cannot be attributed to another sleeping disorder, such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or insomnia.
Caffeine-Related Disorder NOS
Caffeine-related disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) is a category for all other clinical disorders that occur as a result of over-consuming caffeine. This could include the recently-popular “caffeine insanity” claim by murder suspect Woody Will Smith, who is accused of murdering his wife and is claiming caffeine insanity due to the over consumption of caffeinated beverages and supplements as reported in a CBSNews report on the caffeine insanity defense.
Caffeine-related psychiatric disorders are caused by the over consumption of caffeine, which can be found in a wide variety of substances. These disorders cause an interruptions to an individual’s lifestyle and may have prolonged effects on a person’s mental state.
Sources:
"Caffeine-Related Psychiatric Disorders" R. Gregory Lande, DO, FACN Medscape.com.
"Murder Suspect to Plead Insanity by Caffeine" written by the Associated Press, CBSNews.com.
Ashley Anderson - Ashley is an Ohio-based writer and editor with specializations in higher education, writing, and social activism.
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