Disorders due to use of caffeine

Disorders Due to Use of Caffeine are characterized by the pattern and consequences of caffeine use. Caffeine is a mild psychostimulant and diuretic that is found in the beans of the coffee plant (Coffea species) and is a constituent of coffee, cola drinks, chocolate, a range of proprietary ‘energy drinks’ and weight-loss aids. It is the most commonly used psychoactive substance worldwide and several clinical conditions related to its use are described, although severe disorders are comparatively rare considering its ubiquity. Caffeine Intoxication related to consumption of relatively higher doses (i.e., > 1 g per day) is described. Caffeine Withdrawal is common upon cessation of use among individuals who have used caffeine for a prolonged period or in large amounts. Caffeine-Induced Anxiety Disorder has been described, often following intoxication or heavy use.

Diagnostic Categories that Apply to Caffeine

Following is a list of specific diagnostic categories of that apply to caffeine:

• 6C48.0 Episode of Harmful Use of Caffeine
• 6C48.1 Harmful Pattern of Use of Caffeine
• 6C48.2 Caffeine Intoxication
• 6C48.3 Caffeine Withdrawal
• 6C48.40 Caffeine-Induced Anxiety Disorder
• 6C48.Y Other Specified Disorder Due to Use of Caffeine
• 6C48.Z Disorder Due to Use of Caffeine, Unspecified

An additional category of disorder induced by psychoactive substances is included in another part of the ICD-11 chapter on Mental, Behavioural, and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. This is cross-listed in the section below on Substance-induced Mental Disorders for reference:

• 6A41 Catatonia Induced by Substances or Medications

The first two diagnoses listed above (Episode of Harmful Use of Caffeine, Harmful Pattern of Use of Caffeine) describe the pattern of caffeine use. One of these two diagnoses, or Disorder Due to Use of Caffeine, Unspecified, for cases in which the use pattern in unknown at the time of evaluation, is considered to be the primary diagnosis. That is, one of these three diagnoses should be assigned when making a diagnosis of a Disorder Due to Caffeine Use.

The remaining diagnoses reflect the impact of the pattern of caffeine use and are thus considered to be associated with one of the primary use pattern diagnoses. These diagnoses should therefore be assigned together with the relevant primary diagnosis. For example, 6C48.1/ 6C48.71 is Harmful Pattern of Use of Caffeine associated with Caffeine-Induced Anxiety Disorder, 6C4Z/6C48.3 is Disorders Due to Substance Use, Unspecified associated with Caffeine Intoxication (i.e., the pattern of use in this last case is unknown).

Caffeine-induced Mental Disorders are characterized by psychological, cognitive, or behavioural symptoms that develop during or soon after caffeine intoxication or withdrawal or use. The duration or severity of the symptoms is substantially in excess of the characteristic syndrome of Caffeine Intoxication or Caffeine Withdrawal.