If you feel helpless without that morning jolt of coffee or experience fogginess, headache or mood swings when your java is delayed, you may have a caffeine addiction. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM), caffeine withdrawal is now considered a psychological disorder with potentially dramatic side effects. If you wish to reduce your caffeine intake, do so gradually. For best results, seek guidance from your doctor.
Tension Headache
Tension headaches commly result from caffeine withdrawal. According to JHM, about 50 percent of people experiencing caffeine withdrawal experience headaches, usually within 12 to 24 hours of eliminating caffeine. Tension headaches generally involve dull, aching pain; tightness or pressure in your forehead; tenderness in your shoulders and upper back and, in some cases, reduced appetite. Time of endurance and the severity of tension headaches vary. In most cases, over-the-counter pain medications help alleviate pain. Additional remedies include ice packs, physical rest and prescription pain medication if pain is severe.
Depression and Irritability
Emotional difficulties such as depressive moods and irritability may stem from caffeine withdrawal. According to Mayo Clinic psychiatrist, Dr. Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, caffeine may exacerbate depression symptoms in some people as well. Though the correlation between caffeine and depression lacks scientific evidence, Hall-Flavin suggests that people most sensitive to caffeine may experience trouble sleeping. Damaged sleep habits can further exacerbate moods. In these cases, once caffeine withdrawal symptoms have passed, individuals may end up with improved emotional well-being. Hall-Flavin suggests, however, that those who drink caffeine excessively cut back gradually as sudden stoppage can lead to severe depression, irritability and other withdrawal symptoms.
Cognitive Problems
Caffeine withdrawal may cause reduced cognitive function for some people. According to JHM, approximately 13 percent of people experiencing caffeine withdrawal develop functional impairment. During this time, you may experience difficulty concentrating, difficulty making rational decisions, mental confusion and delayed reaction time. The Mayo Clinic suggests that 200 to 300mg of caffeine daily, the equivalent of 2 to 4 cups, is reasonable for most people. People respond to caffeine differently, however. If you currently consume dense amounts of caffeine (more than 500mg daily) or sense that you're particularly sensitive to caffeine, cut back on days that do not require heavy amounts of acute mental function. Some people experience withdrawal from even minor reduction in caffeine intake. For this reason, reducing your intake in 1/2-cup increments may prove most beneficial.
