Posted by MB on October 11, 2001, at 19:58:14
In reply to GAD/Social anxiety----What works??, posted by tina on October 7, 2001, at 16:54:33
In terms of generalized anxiety disorder, and things people have found that help, I'm curious to hear what kind of relationship people with this disorder have with caffeine. I've suffered with anxiety on and off. for the longest time I thought that if I could just give up the caffeine that the problem would go away. I can only tolorate a few cups of coffee/tea a day. Until recently, about 2-3 hrs after I would drink it, I would have horrible anxiety, visual distubances, panic attacks, etc. I couldn't give it up because the depression was too intense. Now things have reversed. In the morning, when I get up, I'm horribly irritable until I get some caffeine in me, then I calm down. It's not unusual for me to be violently irritable when I wake up, but it *is* quite a change for the caffeine to calm me down with no resulting panic attack. I haven't had a panic attack in a month. I can't figure it out. Maybe the caffeine had nothing to do with it? Weird! I'm enjoying being panic free...but the worrying side of me keeps waiting for the shoe to drop--so to speak--and for the attacks to return.
So, what have people's experiences been regarding caffeine and anxiety/panic? Does it make a big difference? Is a few cups/day negligible or drastic?
poster:MB
thread:80564
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011007/msgs/81041.html