[wushuduck]

Didn't really know where to put this. Can energy drinks be a trigger for people? Like, high anxiety levels in people with anxiety, or mania and depressed episodes in bipolar people. Or mood swings in people with BPD.

Are they bad for us in that sense?

[MarlboroChick]

I'm bipolar, but i never noticed that caffeine set off any kind of mania. I also have ADD, though, and thats the reason I cant have caffeine without going a little crazy.
But thats interesting. I'd think that it would give people the most trouble when they crash, since coming down from something never feels good.

[IndieVisible]

I love energy drinks, Monster is my favorite. I like them with alcohol too, Four Loko. Wellbutrin is just like a energy drink only without the crash. I think if you have triggers you will still have them. Do you find coffee is a issue?

[tealBumblebee]

I find that they only trigger me if i'm already "on edge". I'm a pretty avid coffee drinker. I usually only drink them on work days but I can drink from 1 can of Double Shot energy drink (Starbucks) on the low to that with the addition of 2-3 cups of coffee and 1 cup of tea on the high.

Generally, I feel them physically (they make my face hot) and my pulse increase, but i'm pretty stable. When I'm "on edge" (i haven't yet determined how to tell when I'm leading into hypomania or depression), my pulse (though usually slightly lower than on my stable days but still high) becomes more noticeable, I get shaky, I have to move around and it feels more like anxiety or a need to "run away from life" and just "be free". It can get pretty bad.

On those kinds of days I have to limit myself to 0-1 drinks for the day.

I was so on edge one day that I googled caffeine and hypomania and it did suggest that it could cause like a "self induced" hypomania for some people. Again, I don't think I could self induce it, but I do have to be more aware of my vulnerability point before indulging anymore.

[wushuduck]

Originally Posted by IndieVisible

I love energy drinks, Monster is my favorite. I like them with alcohol too, Four Loko. Wellbutrin is just like a energy drink only without the crash. I think if you have triggers you will still have them. Do you find coffee is a issue?

I can't stand coffee mate. I'm going to have an energy drink in the morning, see if it triggers another elated mood. It didn't make me just hyper, but like super, super euphoric, I'd not felt that in a long long time. But the crash was horrible.

[IndieVisible]

Let us know how you made out!

[Blue_Bird]

I've never had energy drinks trigger mania for me, however I have had caffeinated drinks and energy drinks trigger panic attacks, only when my anxiety is already sky high though.

[wushuduck]

Originally Posted by Blue_Bird

I've never had energy drinks trigger mania for me, however I have had caffeinated drinks and energy drinks trigger panic attacks, only when my anxiety is already sky high though.

Well I just had a panic attack and it was a challenge in itself trying to stop myself throwing up, I don't know if it was the thought of leaving the house or the energy drinks!

[steelfang]

Yes, I have bipolar and intentionally use energy drinks and other stimulants to induce mania. I know I shouldn't do it but I love this aspect of the disorder.

[FrayedEnds]

absolutely! for me it is a panic attack in a can.
actually, my heart is starting to race just thinking about a Red Bull.

Yep, those energy drinks spell trouble for me, especially with alcohol! I wont even drink coffee now, not risking it, not worth it.

[IndieVisible]

It's just some thing that differs from person to person, we are all different. Just have to try and see. Live and learn

[eleckra69]

I think it depends upon the person and what medications they're taking! I love Rockstar and Amp!

[atomicc]

I have a very high level of anxiety and when I drink too much caffeine it increases this. I get really jittery and worry a lot. It happens less now because I drink coffee daily but if I have too much than I can have a panic attack. I just make sure I don't overdo it.

Yes, yes, YES! Energy drinks can definitely severely increase anxiety, agitation, and hypomania or mania. I believe they are even more powerful than just plain coffee or espresso. I've worked as a barista for 11 years and have seen people drink an energy drink and get extremely wired. I wouldn't touch the things.

[csjb79]

I love coffee and caffeine in general but it's a tigger for me.. I limit myself to one cup of regular a day. I think in moderation it's fine

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[live2ski66]

I like the flavor of Red Bull, but I usually don't drink it. Right now I'm in the middle of moving to a new place and I'm packing everything by myself. Haven't taught my cat how to help. Anyway, change freaks me out and I become paralyzed. I know what needs to happen, I visualize it, but I can't move. I've been guzzling red bull like it's going to disappear. I know this is not great, but after my first red bull, I have an anxiety attack so I take my prescribed klonopin, prescribed amount. That takes the edge of the red bull and I can drink it all day and night. In fact I'm pulling an all nighter. I'll feel it when the move is complete. I will be exhausted but not able to sleep until my body processes the red bull. Oh, my hands shake from the beginning.

sometimes drink them.

i usually have monster- but not often at all

only really when my brother is

[live2ski66]

Well, the red bulls caught up with me. Didn't really accomplish everything I needed. Sometimes (after I make myself sick) I wonder if I should hire the entire move (boxing etc) instead of having to suffer for the next few hours. Sometimes I wonder if I'm as smart as I'm supposed to be.
So try them if you want, just plan for not feeling well afterwards.

[Onward2wards]

They seem to have a mixed effect on me - making me feel more energetic and outgoing used in moderation, way too anxiety prone if I overdo it - and yes, there can be a noticeable crash afterwards. "Okay but use with caution" I guess.

[Hellion]

I have anxiety and PTSD and sometimes energy drinks or anything with caffeine makes me more anxious....so if I am feeling especially anxious I avoid such things. But I like coffee, black tea and energy drinks to get a bit more energized if I am tired and lethargic feeling...or if I am feeling fine without the anxiety bothering me.

I guess it really just depends on how I feel....also caffeine can help headaches sometimes.

[tealBumblebee]

I know i've already posted - but I figured I would mention that I had a Monster coffee drink today and it caused some serious anxiety/panic attack like symptoms! I work at a hospital and they were like "you do not look good; sit down" - it was horrible. I was shaky and ugh. So yeah... x-ing that off my list.