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Does caffeine and sugar cause more anxiety?

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Posted 6/1/2010 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
I have panic and anxiety disorder. I'm taking meds for that and also Bi Polar 2. Its the mildest form of bi polar. Ive always wondered if eating sugar and taking in caffeine really makes the anxiety worst. I can't ever get a straight answer. I love sugar and caffeine lol I'm only 20 years old and it feels like I'm having withdraw symptoms or something from the sugar and caffeine lol. I consider myself a health freak and workout at the gym everyday. I really want to know if they will stimulate me too much.
Posted 6/1/2010 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome,

Some people are more sensitive to caffeine's effects than others so their tolerance for caffeine can be far less than other people. Even small amounts of caffeine found in decaffeinated versions of tea and coffee can cause them problems. Research has shown people prone to stress and anxiety tend to be especially sensitive to the effects of caffeine, removing caffeine from the diet can be a great help in relieving stress, anxiety, depression and related problems.
Posted 6/1/2010 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Caffeine in moderate doses doesn't bother me. Sugar can, especially if it's that high fructose corn syrup crap. But I have to eat/drink a lot of it. A candy bar or soda won't really do many any harm.

Your mileage may (and probably will) vary.
Posted 6/2/2010 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Basically, the only one that can say is you yourself! :)
I'm not trying to be funny. I know some people are very affected by sugar and/or caffeine and others aren't. I never noticed any effect from either as regards to my anxiety levels. Now my weight.....EEK!!! That's another story! LOL!
If you feel worse after a sugar and or caffeine binge, you may need to tone it down. If you can't tell any difference, I wouldn't worry about it! And the next time you're drinking a coke or eating a candy bar, think of me...I can't have the kind with sugar because of diabetes! BLAHH!!!
Take care! ;)
jl
Posted 6/2/2010 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
In my experence caffeine would make my anxiety worse, I'm not so sure with sugar. I think that as long as you limit the amount ( I know its hard) it wont be so bad. Also if you go off caffeine it will be 3 days of feeling crappy. Hope that helps.
Posted 6/3/2010 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
I love my coffee and my 2 sugars in my coffee, at the time of my anxiety attacks I was told not to drink coffee or cut down. but to make a long story short, I started to take my coffee again and lots of it, normal coffee, coffee's from around the world. I was so sure my anxiety was going to spike, but for me it was mind over matter. Sometimes we believe what others will say and then we expect to feel what is supposed to happen if you consume alot of coffee. yes, coffee will increase your adrenalin, but knowing how to control your thoughts on what your body is doing, is the key. If you can expect the results then you know your limit, but you still can drink the coffee that you love. Don't stop doing what brings you joy, if you like coffee, then drink it and enjoy.

Have a "hot cup of coffee on me" cheers!
former1
Posted 6/4/2010 8:24 AM (GMT 0)
My anxieties are so severe that caffeine and sugar don't have any effect in making my anxieties worse.
Posted 6/4/2010 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
I cannot drink coffee at all or im doing the ....TIGGER BOUNCE...
as was said it affects others in own way
i can drink ginger ale n do w/o any problems
..WELCOME to our family..lyn
Posted 6/4/2010 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
I can't drink coffee anymore like I used to because it tends to aggravate my tummy, but... when I was able to drink coffee, it did have a tendency to put me on edge (not that it takes much to do that, anyway, but it was something I noticed)...

As for sugar... No. I've never had sugar make me feel on edge... In fact, quite the opposite... Sugar tends to calm me down and make me feel better... (I suppose this would put me at a risk for overeating... But I've been a tiny little thing for a long time and I have difficulty gaining weight... So, I've been trying to do that)...

Of course, too much sugar can aggravate my tummy, too, so I try to be careful about that...
Posted 6/17/2010 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
I've recently found that drinking coffee in the morning keeps my medications I take in the morning (Prozac and Xanax) from working properly. I feel okay for a while and then I just freak out. I'm working toward just drinking water and Gatoraide from now on, they don't have caffeine.
Posted 6/17/2010 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Janetlee. Some people are more sensitive to sugar and caffeine than others. Try cutting down or cutting out caffreine for a week and see if you feel better, then do the same with sugar. I can not handle a lot of caffeine, it makes me very jittery. Sugar doesn't make me anxious, but too much of it makes me feel sick and crabby!
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