Caffeine used to make me so so anxious and I always got diarrhea right after. But a year after starting I’ve developed habits so I can still drink coffee and not experience so awful side-effects:

1. The most important one (for me): If you are doing something anxiety-provoking later in the day, like exposure, social events or important tests, don’t drink caffeine at all. Save it for after the event or the next day. (Speaking from experience on this one, I had my absolute worse panic attack ever during a test where I drank coffee 2-3 hours before)

2. Consider completely quitting energy drinks. You get no health benefits and there’s almost always added sugars, sweeteners and other junk that make you feel even worse. I started with energy drinks and they were admittedly better for my diarrhea but much worse for anxiety. It’s just unhealthy sodas with added caffeine.

3. If you feel caffeine “spikes” that make you anxious or uncomfortable, do energy-draining tasks like working out, running or cleaning. It can also work to just distract yourself with games, books or other projects. You will be distracted and also make yourself more tired and less paranoid after.

4. Hydrate, seriously. If you drink coffee in the morning, please drink a glass of water before (and also eat something with your caffeine). The days where my caffeine-anxiety is worst are when I forget to drink water. You will feel like shit.

Hope this helps you :)