Posted by awake at last on August 6, 2002, at 8:57:56
In reply to Is caffeine an antidepressant?, posted by bubblegumchewer on August 3, 2002, at 9:54:36
> I read Shawn's link to "caffeine can cause depression," but I just don't believe it.
>
> Recently after a three month hiatus from caffeine, I reinstated just a ONE cup a day habit and I've felt much better. I have to admit I feel a little manic, like "I have to bookmark this for so-and so, and I have to remember to show this to someone else," etc. It's not out-of-control, though. I actually get out of the house and get things done without dwelling on how tired and unwell I feel.
>
> I realize that caffeine is reputed to cause anxiety but for me, I have more of a devil-may-care attitude and feel more efficient and generally in a better, more empowered and less anxious and brooding mood.
>
> I have had panic attacks but every doctor has given me a depression diagnosis. Maybe the root of my panic attacks is really depression, like they say? One pdoc told me that caffeine has an antidepressant effect and that is why 3/4 of the world is addicted to it. Something about norepinephrine feedback loops or something.
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BBC,
I finally got a chance to answer your question under the (Sleep is my Krptonite thread) regarding my Narcolepsy. One of the things I didn't mention and should have is that now I pretty much obstain (for the most part) from Caffeine.
I, like you, previously found that caffiene was a wonderful product - I drank it by the ton. It was the one thing that made me feel better, it gave me the lift to stay awake and feel alive, and that extra edge I needed to be able to concentrate. But, once it was out of my system, I crashed and burned, my original problems were worse. However, I now believe that caffeine was another one of those "fixes" I was using to treat a symptom rather than finding my true problem and obtaining a cure (read other thread and this will make since.)
Now that I have corrected what is really wrong with me, I fell great, but I obstain from Caffeine now, I find that when I do drink it, it messes with my Narcolepsy (and perhaps my hypoglycemia as well) and I start felling bad again. I can drink a diet coke on occasion and it doesn't affect me unless it's just before bed time (lets face it - not many restaurants serve a caffiene-free/sugar-free soda, so I cave and get one when nothing else is available).
Again, I think you should question whether the caffeine is helping you, or covering a symptom to a true problem... if it's just covering the symptom, then in time you are probably only going to get worse...I know I did.
poster:awake at last
thread:115063
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020731/msgs/115389.html