Caffeine-induced anxiety disorder

Caffeine-induced anxiety disorder is a subclass of the DSM-5 diagnosis of substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder.^[1]

Consumption of caffeine has long been linked to anxiety.^[2] The effects of caffeine and the symptoms of anxiety both increase activity within the sympathetic nervous system. Caffeine has been linked to the aggravation and maintenance of anxiety disorders, and the initiation of panic or anxiety attacks in those who are already predisposed to such phenomena.^[3] Caffeine usage surpassing 400 mg has been shown to increase the likelihood for anxiety and panic attacks in a population. Individuals with panic attack disorder have a higher risk of developing a panic attack when consuming caffeine than when they do not.^[4] Excessive amounts of caffeine can result in symptoms from general anxiety to obsessive-compulsive and phobic symptoms.