As of 2009, about 40 million American adults were affected by anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. Caffeine, an ingredient in coffee, tea, chocolate and cola drinks, can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, posing a problem for patients with histories of mental health problems, suggesting that those individuals should reduce or eliminate the substance from their diets.
Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety can cause varying degrees of emotional and physical symptoms. Primary symptoms include irrational, excessive fear and worry, as well as dread, apprehension, jumpiness, tension, restlessness, irritability and trouble concentrating. Physical symptoms may include a pounding heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, stomach upset, diarrhea, frequent urination, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, headache, muscle tension, tremors and twitches.
Caffeine
The Food and Drug Administration categorizes caffeine as a food additive and a drug. The average American adult consumes 200 mg of caffeine a day, and some middle school students consume 50 to 100 mg of the substance each day, according to the FDA. A central nervous system stimulant, caffeine affects your brain, spinal cord and other nerves in a variety of ways, including causing insomnia, rapid or uneven heart rate, increased blood pressure, nervousness, dizziness, headaches and dehydration.
Caffeine and Anxiety
Roland Griffiths, professor of behavioral biology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, calls caffeine "the most widely used mood-altering drug in the world," reports the University of Florida News. Certain individuals, including pregnant women and patients who suffer from panic attacks, anxiety, sleeping problems or certain heart and stomach conditions, should reduce their caffeine intake or eliminate it altogether. A 2006 University of Florida test of energy drinks found that some contained as much as 141 mg of caffeine per serving, a concern for patients who suffer from anxiety and other mental health disorders.
Caffeine Sensitivity
A healthy adult can normally tolerate 200 to 300 mg of caffeine a day, the amount in two to four servings of coffee, according to MayoClinic.com. However, some individuals are more sensitive to caffeine than others. Factors that may affect sensitivity include age, body size, medications and a history of anxiety disorders. The frequency of consumption also may affect sensitivity, as people who rarely drink coffee or tea may find that a single cup affects their ability to sleep. Gender also may matter, as men tend to be more susceptible than women.
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