Am J Psychiatry 1981; 138:512-514
Copyright © 1981 by American Psychiatric Association
Ad lib caffeine consumption, symptoms of caffeinism, and academic performance
K Gilliland and D Andress
The authors explored the relationship between ad lib caffeine consumption
in college students and the incidence of caffeinism, characterized by
heightened anxiety, depression, and various psychophysiological reactions.
Students were randomly selected from four groups (abstainers from caffeine
and low, moderate, and high consumers). A survey battery assessed the
effects of caffeine, incidence of psychophysiological disorders,
state-trait anxiety, and depression. The moderate and high consumer groups
combined reported significantly higher trait anxiety and depression scores
when compared with abstainers. The high consumer group also reported
significantly higher levels of symptoms of caffeinism, higher frequency of
psychophysiological disorders, and lower academic performance.
