Caffeine withdrawal: a mental disorder?

Ever binge on coffee then suffer the (headachy) consequences when you try going without it? There's now a medical term for that.

According to the newest edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), "caffeine withdrawal," the condition that includes fatigue, headaches, depressed moods and focusing difficulties, is now classified as a mental disorder.

Caffeine intoxication, where caffeine consumption causes distress or impairs the drinker's ability to function, was listed in both the previous and current APA manual.

"Caffeine is a drug, a mild stimulant, which is used by almost everybody on a daily basis," says Dr. Charles O’Brien, who chairs the Substance-Related Disorder Work Group for DSM-5. "But it does have a letdown afterwards. If you drink a lot of coffee, at least two or three [236 ml] cups at a time, there will be a rebound or withdrawal effect."

DSM-5 work-group member Alan J. Budney defended adding caffeine withdrawal to the manual back in 2011.

Also see: Surprising things you didn't know about caffeine

"We feel that there is enough data to support a caffeine-withdrawal syndrome," Budney said at the time, admitting that caffeine consumption was one of the most controversial issues his group faced. "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."

Not all experts agree that "caffeine withdrawal," categorized under "caffeine-related disorders," should be listed as a mental disorder.

"The symptoms of caffeine withdrawal are transitory, they take care of themselves," says clinical psychologist Robin Rosenberg. "It's just a natural response to stopping caffeine, and it clears up on its own in short order."

Psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow calls the DSM-5 "an interesting and dangerous work of fiction."

The New York Post points out that the new designation puts caffeine in the same category as other powerful drugs like alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and mind-latering substances.

Also see: Could a special coffee brew be the key to a longer life?

Fortunately for those of us who like our morning coffee, there's not enough clinical data to forever doom java to "the ranks of the world's worst drugs."

"It isn't clear that [caffeine use disorder] is clinically significant," Dr. O'Brien says.

According to Health Canada, "the general population of healthy adults is not at risk for potential adverse effects from caffeine if they limit their caffeine intake to 400 mg per day."

See Health Canada's chart to determine how much caffeine you consume daily.

Have you ever experienced caffeine withdrawal symptoms?