Caffeine vs. Anxiety (and how it impacts those with trauma)

Hi there! My name is Kandace Ledergerber. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, trained in EMDR therapy, and a Registered Yoga Teacher. I specialize in working with anxious people and overachievers who have struggled with anxiety, stress, and triggers from past trauma. I am also someone who has ALWAYS loved coffee. Coffee has been a long-standing friend from my high school years into my adulthood. AND I know in the long run, I'm not a huge fan of the impact caffeine can have on me and my mental health. I've had clients who have mentioned much of the same struggle. So this posting is about caffeine and how it can impact anxiety. If you are concerned about your caffeine intake, your anxiety level, or if you've been impacted by trauma, I highly encourage you to seek care from your primary doctor and mental health provider.

A link between Caffeine and Anxiety 

There is a link between these two. Caffeine's impact on the chemicals in the brain mirrors anxiety symptoms and makes the body feel like it is in fight or flight mode. Fight or flight mode also happens when trauma occurs or when the body feels threatened (more on this in just a few paragraphs!)  

What are caffeine anxiety symptoms? 

Restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, flushed face, rambling flow of thought and speech, tachycardia or cardiac arrhythmia, and psycho-motor agitation are some of the symptoms that caffeine intoxication has that are similar to symptoms seen in anxiety, according to the DSM 5. In addition, there is a Caffeine Induced Anxiety Disorder for individuals with extreme anxiety connected to caffeine use. 

Should you avoid caffeine if you have anxiety? 

Typically it is a good choice to steer clear of caffeine if you already struggle with anxiety-related symptoms; however, that is often difficult in today's culture. Reducing caffeine intake and increasing the water intake can be helpful for this, in addition to regular sleep and exercise. Some people may then ask - What are some ways to reduce caffeine-induced anxiety? The best way to reduce caffeine-induced anxiety is to stop drinking caffeine. However, recognizably, since this is a difficult feat for many, decreasing the amount of caffeine and increasing water, exercise, and regular sleep can help stabilize the body and lower anxiety, helping one to feel more confident in their ability to cut more caffeine out of their diet.

How does this relate to trauma and EMDR therapy?

When we experience trauma, we often go into this fight, flight, or freeze mode. The fight and flight modes can also look like anxiety, frustration, anger, and tension. Our bodies are trying to communicate to our brains that we are not safe, even though the danger has passed. It becomes difficult for us to live in the moment when the body is consistently feeling triggered and unable to come down to a baseline of safety. While helpful for productivity and our overall days, constant caffeine intake can continue to send those signals to our brain, making it difficult to wind down and convince the brain that it is safe. If you want to cut down and are unsure how to start, try cutting your caffeine intake by 25% and drink a glass of water in its place. Do this for a week and see if you can notice a slight difference.  

Thank you for reading my post! If you are looking for an EMDR therapist in Tampa or anywhere in Florida, please reach out for a free consultation to see if I might be the right fit for you. If you'd like to learn more about EMDR therapy, you can visit my EMDR therapy page or reach out to ask me any questions you may have.