Self-Medication of ADHD Symptoms: Does Caffeine Have a Role?
Csilla Ágoston1,2, Róbert Urbán2, Zsolt Horváth2
1Institute of People-Environment Transaction, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|February 21, 2022
Summary
Caffeine consumption does not appear to be self-medication for Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, caffeine use disorder is linked to more ADHD symptoms and lower well-being in adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly treated with stimulants.
- Nicotine dependence in ADHD patients is often attributed to self-medication.
- The role of caffeine consumption and dependence in ADHD remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between ADHD symptoms, caffeine consumption, and caffeine use disorder (CUD).
- To examine the association between ADHD, CUD, and overall well-being.
- To test the hypothesis that caffeine consumption may serve as self-medication for ADHD symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A large general population sample (N=2,259) completed online surveys.
- Participants reported on ADHD symptoms using the Adult ADHD Self-report Scale (ASRS).
- Caffeine Use Disorder Questionnaire (CUDQ) and WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5) assessed CUD and well-being.
Main Results:
- No significant associations were found between ADHD symptom severity and caffeine consumption from various sources (coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola).
- Path analysis revealed a positive association between ADHD symptom severity and CUD severity (β = 0.350).
- ADHD symptom severity was negatively associated with well-being (β = -0.259).
Conclusions:
- Caffeine consumption is unlikely to be a form of self-medication for ADHD symptoms.
- Higher severity of CUD is associated with increased ADHD symptoms.
- Both CUD and ADHD are linked to diminished psychological well-being.
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