A recent report claimed that excessive caffeine consumption can cause a condition called "caffeine intoxication," Time reported.
American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) classified caffeine withdrawal under a new category called "Caffeine-Related Disorders." The symptoms were listed as: "fatigue, headache and difficulty focusing."
"Caffeine is a drug, a mild stimulant, which is used by almost everybody on a daily basis," claimed Dr. Charles O'Brien, chair of the Substance-Related Disorder Work Group for the DSM-5. "But it does have a letdown afterwards. If you drink a lot of coffee, at least two or three cups at a time, there will be a rebound or withdrawal effect," the NY Post reported.
Since 2011 when it was announced that caffeine-related issues would be "recommended for inclusion" in the DSM-5, people have been asking if caffeine should really be listed among mental disorders, according to Time.
"We feel that there is enough data to support a caffeine withdrawal syndrome," said Alan. J Budney. Who is on the DSM-5 team. "There are enough people who go into withdrawal - that if they don't get caffeine, it becomes a real syndrome and can affect work, sleep, or whatever they need to do. So we're suggesting that it 'make the big leagues' and become part of the DSM to make sure everyone is aware of it."
Clinical psychologist Robin Rosenberg doesn't believe that caffeine withdrawal should be considered a mental disorder because the symptoms are so fleeting.
"The symptoms of caffeine withdrawal are transitory, they take care of themselves," he said. "It's just a natural response to stopping caffeine, and it clears up on its own in short order," reported International Science Times.
It does take a lot of caffeine to actually overdose on it. In order to ingest a dangerous amount one would have to drink about six gallons, or 100 cups of coffee all at once.
