'It's a Balancing Act': A Qualitative Analysis of the Experiences of Caffeine Use in Individuals With Bipolar...

Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a complex and often chronic mood disorder that can cause significant distress and disruption to everyday life. The condition often requires lifelong treatment and self-management. Caffeine is a lifestyle behaviour that could be useful in self-management alongside traditional treatments, but further research is needed to explore the relationship between this lifestyle behaviour and its potential significance on affective state.

Individuals with BD (N = 20) took part in qualitative semi-structured interviews, engaging in discussion about their personal experiences of caffeine consumption in relation to BD mood symptoms. Interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

Analysis revealed the superordinate theme 'it's a balancing act' was present in the majority of the transcripts, describing the caffeine-bipolar relationship. This superordinate theme comprised themes specifically linked to lower mood states, 'little helper' and 'nothing works' and others linked to higher mood states 'increased manic-ness' and 'can't recall/concentrate', in addition to themes around habitual caffeine consumption 'habit/routine' and planned use of caffeine 'strategic routine'.

The complexities of the caffeine-bipolar relationship are highlighted. Participants indicated that caffeine requires a very delicate balancing act, having the potential to be both helpful and harmful. Findings emphasise the importance of increasing knowledge surrounding caffeine use for both patients with BD and clinical professionals.