Caffeinism: What You Don't Want to Know

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By amy jane


What is Caffeinism?

Is it a new religion, based on placing your faith (and money) in Starbucks to help you get through daily life? Is it practiced by Hollywood mega-stars who will soon be bouncing on the couches of talk show hosts nationwide promoting their system of belief? No, not quite. But caffeine has become embedded into our culture to such an extent that we consume it in blind faith, often ignoring the consequences.

“Although infrequently diagnosed, caffeinism is thought to afflict as many as one person in ten of the population.”

by JE James and KP Stirling, in the British Journal of Addiction




Coffee Addiction - Scrubs Style

Caffeinism Defined

  • "A condition resulting from a very high intake of caffeine and characterized by anxiety, mood swings, sleep disruption, and other physiological and psychological abnormalities. Abstinence following high intake can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as severe headaches. A caffeine intake of more than 600 mg per day may produce depression and other harmful effects. Caffeine intoxification is recognized as a medical condition in the USA." Oxford University Press
  • "a morbid condition caused by caffeine (as from excessive consumption of coffee)" Mirriam-Webster Dictionary
  • “Caffeine-induced psychosis, whether it be delirium, manic depression, schizophrenia, or merely an anxiety syndrome, in most cases will be hard to differentiate from organic or non-organic psychoses…." The Caffeine Web
  • "a toxic condition caused by excessive ingestion of coffee and other caffeine-containing beverages" GreenGonzo Dictionary
  • "Symptoms range form minimal reactions to severe psychotic states, which may include irrational behavior, disruptions in attention, lack of focus and comprhension, mood changed, lack of organizational skilss, abrupt shifting of activities, delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia." Ruth Whalen, MLT


Caffeinism and ADD/ADHD

I had never heard the term caffeinism until just the other day. I was reading a book about AD/HD called "Driven to Distraction," by E. Hallowell and J. Ratey. The authors were discussing conditions that can mask and/or mimic the symptoms of AD/HD (distractibility, issues with short term memory, inability to sit still). The list included things like anxiety, chronic fatigue, psychosis, and caffeinism which the author defined as excessive intake of coffee and soda.


A Different Kind of Cool - 1970's Coffee Commercial

Are You at Risk?

If you think you may be a little excessive in your caffiene intake, take the following test. It will survey your total daily intake from all sources and based on the personal results, show you where you may be at risk.

Calculate your risks here: Caffeine Awareness

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Me, Myself and Caffeine

Are they kidding? Sure, anything in excess is not good for you. I knew that I should be drinking that healthy 8 glasses of water a day instead but could it really be that harmful? Is it true that coffee and soda (which I drink continuously through the day) could be the reason I can't get anything done because I can't remember what it is that I am supposed to be doing? My beloved coffee could be at fault when I want to jump out of my skin and scream when something is boring me? Could this be what has caused me, a somewhat well educated person with a nice IQ to do really stupid, flaky things on a regular basis?

Here are some illustrations.

  • Just this morning, I stopped at the ATM, got some cash and drove away. It was not until I went to pay for my very large coffee that I realised I had left my card in the ATM.
  • I have quit at least a dozen jobs out of sheer boredom.
  • I drove without a license for years -not because I was rebelling against the system or trying to hide from authorities - but because I forgot to mail in the renewal form.
  • I did it again when we moved to a new state. First, I couldn't remember to go to the DMV to get it transferred. Then I tried to go, but had to leave several times because I could not tolerate stand in the line like a robot for another minute.
  • I carry two set of car keys with me so I won't lock myself out of my car.
  • I chronically lock myself out of my house when I take my oldest daughter to the school bus in the morning. I once had to pry open a narrow basement window and carefully maneuver my 8-months-pregnant belly through it to get into the house, where I had left my younger daughter napping.
  • I start brilliant organizing projects, novels, children's books- but never finish them.
  • I jump from topic to topic when I am talking. Sometimes I interrupt myself mid-sentence to change ideas. I often don't finish my ... you get the point!

You would think that with all the caffeine in my system, I would walk around wired all day and be unable to sleep at night, but I am not. I could take a nap right now, just lay my head down on the keyboard, even though I am, at this moment drinking coffee.

If you and I met tomorrow at Starbucks, you would think I was a calm sort of person. And you would be mostly right.

I should add that I quit caffeine during my three pregnancies, so in theory, I should know if I was "clear minded" without it.

I don't know. I really can't remember.

What was my point anyway? Seriously, I distracted myself with my own ranting.

YES! I just took a ten minute break from writing this and now I remember.

All of this could be the result of caffeinism.

And, if you read this far you probably have a nice healthy attention span.

Unfortunately, the only treatment for caffeinism is to stop ingesting caffeine.

I'm not making any promises...

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Alison Morgan profile image

Alison Morgan  says:
4 months ago

I mostly drink tea . . . which seems more innocent . . . but I totally think I'm an addict! I drink it when I get up, all day at work, and then again after dinner.

Plus, I've heard it has more caffeine than coffee . . .

Interesting facts! Thanks!

Marisa Wright profile image

Marisa Wright  says:
4 months ago

Interesting Hub!  There is another Hub somewhere about the benefits of caffeine, of which there are many - it's pretty well accepted now that one or two cups of coffee a day are good for you, not bad.  However, if you have more than two cups, or if you drink other caffeinated drinks as well, you could be in trouble.

Did you know that Taurine and Guarana are just caffeine under another name, so watch out for sodas containing those, too.  And ordinary chocolate has a lot in it as well (the expensive Swiss and Belgian stuff doesn't).

Tea has more caffeine than some instant coffees, but a lot less than espresso.

Whitney05 profile image

Whitney05  says:
4 months ago

This was interesting. I'm glad I don't have to much of a caffiene problem. I'd rather grab a juice than a soda. Ha. My boyfriend, on the other hand, always has a soda in his hand. He actually has redrawals when he hasn't had a soda or some caffinated drink in a while.

In The Doghouse profile image

In The Doghouse  says:
4 months ago

amy jane

Awesome post, thanks for the info. I know that it is true. Now where did I leave that Diet Coke?

amy jane profile image

amy jane  says:
4 months ago

Hi - thank you all for taking the time to comment!

Marisa - I had no idea that Taurine and Guarana were caffeine in disguise. How tricky of their manfacturers...

Whitney, I go through withdrawl symptoms without soda too. I think it may actually be worse than going without coffee!

Sciantel profile image

Sciantel  says:
4 months ago

I drink maybe 2 cans of soda pop with caffeine in it. I have asthma too which it seems to help and it's not as bad as some of those medications they give for asthma. I also suffer from Lupus and so I get fatigued. If not for caffeine, just a little, I couldn't get out of bed. But just like anything else it can be taken too much. Like nicotine.

Blogger Mom profile image

Blogger Mom  says:
3 months ago

I didn't really drink coffee during my pregnancies or while breastfeeding, so as soon as I weaned my youngest (about 4 months ago) I've been making up for lost time. I'm re-addicted to coffee, so much so that I get a headache by noon if I haven't had my morning cup. Love my coffee! Thanks for the interesting Hub! - Blogger Mom

amy jane profile image

amy jane  says:
3 months ago

Hi Bloggermom, thanks for reading! I am quite familiar with that type of headache!

Kat07 profile image

Kat07  says:
3 months ago

Wow, the link to the caffiene calculator is really neat! I like that site!

amy jane profile image

amy jane  says:
3 months ago

Hi Cat, I was shocked at how many products they cover to calculate how much you are taking in - very complete! Thanks for reading:)

Peter M. Lopez profile image

Peter M. Lopez  says:
2 months ago

...And I'm sure HubPages plays absolutely no role in your caffeinism. Too funny.

amy jane profile image

amy jane  says:
2 months ago

LOL, if I could stay up all night writing and reading here I would :)

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