Depressed from not drinking coffee

I am 19 years old, and I used to be addicted to caffeine...for about 4 years from like 14-19. It's been about 8 months and I think by now all the symptoms of withdrawal should be gone but I just don't feel the same. At some points I feel even better, but mostly I feel detached from the world...and depressed. And I don't have a good mood/feel normal until late afternoon. i don't have the same spiritual connection and happiness i naturally got from drinking coffee every day. But I don't know if the depression came from my toxic ex who was depressed and getting over the relationship or giving up caffeine because i gave up both at the same time.

so I'm struggling to decide whether to drink coffee again to see if i feel better...but what if thats not what the depression is from? So i don't know. not only did i lose part of myself from not drinking it, i gained weight, lost motivation, got depression (questionable what caused this one), and really lost the ability to enjoy life..but on the bright side, i don't have to be addicted to something and drink it for the rest of my life to feel normal. But was it worth it? I also got GI digestive problems when i would drink it....so idk. Do you think I should go back to coffee/maybe on antidepressants/stay away from caffeine? What should I do? Im also in college and don't need it necessarily to keep me awake or anything.

Talk to your doctor

So, let me get this straight...you broke up with your boyfriend AND coffee at the same time??? Wow! You're brave!!!

Caffeine is a stimulant. That's why we feel the 'pick me up' from it. By now, your body should have adjusted to your not consuming it anymore.

I don't know about anyone else, but when I drink coffee, I don't feel the 'need' to eat. Without it, I feel hungry. Perhaps you gained weight from putting something other than coffee in your stomach?

Weight gain can lead to lethargy which leads to not burning the calories, which leads to more weight gain. Vicious cycle.

What are you consuming instead of coffee? Orange juice? Water? Have you tried decaf?

What is your point of view about giving it up? That you are denying yourself something you used to enjoy? Or that you are adding something 'healthier' for you? How we perceive things can make a huge difference.

Did anything else in your morning routine change? Maybe watch a different news channel or go for a brisk walk first thing...that way you might not 'miss it' as much.