Process - Physician - Fraser Health Authority

CAFFEINECaffeine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which governs the stress response.If your depression comes with a lot of anxiety, the last thing you need is a chemicalthat makes the stress response system more active. Caffeine can also aggravate tensionheadache, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pain, and other physical problems.Caffeine is an addictive drug. Heavy users can become psychologically dependenton it, develop tolerance (meaning that more caffeine is needed to get the same effects),and undergo withdrawal if they don’t get it. Withdrawal symptoms include headache,drowsiness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Many people discover that theyare dependent on caffeine when they go for a day or two without coffee and developsplitting headaches.How much caffeine does it take to become dependent on it? Estimates vary, but450 milligrams per day is about average. Some people are more sensitive, others less.Use the table below to calculate your average daily consumption. Notice the smallserving sizes. Your coffee cup may hold three or four of these!If you decide to try reducing your caffeine intake, do so slowly to avoid the withdrawalsymptoms. Drop your intake by about half for 4-6 days, then half of the remainder, thenhalf again until you are drinking no more than 2 cups per day.Substance Amount in mg # per day TotalCoffeeDrip (5 oz.) 130 x _______ = _______Instant freeze-dried (5 oz.) 70 x _______ = _______Decaffeinated (5 oz.) 3 x _______ = _______Espresso drinks (1 shot) 90 x _______ = _______Tea5-minute steep (5 oz.) 60 x _______ = _______3-minute steep (5 oz.) 35 x _______ = _______OtherHot cocoa (5 oz.) 10 x _______ = _______Regular or diet cola (12 oz.) 45 x _______ = _______Most other soft drinks (12 oz.) 0 x _______ = _______Small chocolate bar 25 x _______ = _______Total = _______SELF-CARE DEPRESSION PROGRAM60 ANTIDEPRESSANT SKILLS WORKBOOK