CHENNAI: When she developed anxiety and palpitation, little did the 40-year-old realise she was suffering from caffeine withdrawal disorder.
Seldom discussed in the land of coffee lovers, the effects of caffeine withdrawal is recognised as a disorder by the American Psychiatric Association in its fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders, accepted as the authority on mental health diagnoses.
“Mental illness often does not have any separate symptoms. But if there are any behavioural changes and if the symptoms last long, it is important to consult a psychiatrist. For example, if the person is addicted to coffee and if it affects day-to-day activities when cut down, then it’s better to consult the doctor,” said V Venkatesh Madan, Associate Professor, Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk.
Caffeine use is more in the Western countries, so is the case with this disorder, said the doctor, adding that there had been a few cases of caffeine withdrawal that he had dealt with.
“But it depends on how serious the disorder is. Mild disorders can be corrected through counselling itself,” Madan added.
Caffeine withdrawal symptoms are anxiety, palpitation, headache, sleep disturbance and moodiness.
But unless the symptoms last a longer duration, it is difficult to distinguish between caffeine withdrawal and the kind of uneasiness and headaches that come from a routine, day-to-day happenings they encounter in life, the doctor explained.