title: Caffeine and caffeinism.
abstract: Caffeine is a widely ingested and generally beneficial drug. However, when taken in excess, anxiety related symptoms become increasingly apparent. A case of caffeinism, which presented as a paranoid delusion, is reported as an extreme example of this. A study of 60 hospital inpatients revealed that about 40% of them consumed sufficient caffeine to produce symptoms of caffeinism. It is thus recommended that all patients should be questioned on their caffeine intake. Also, caffeinism should be considered as a differential diagnosis of anxiety states.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Rollins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009326:Naval Medicine; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D002110:Caffeine