Clinical findings in a person undergoing caffeine withdrawal may include:
(1) headache
(2) tiredness or fatigue
(3) decreased energy and motivation
(4) decreased alertness, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating
(5) decreased sense of well-being, feeling of discontent, dysphoria, depression
(6) flu-like symptoms (nausea, vomiting, feeling sick or queasy, perspiring, dizzy, muscle aches)
(7) irritability
(8) muscle pain and stiffness, with pain on palpation
(9) craving for caffeine
(10) blurred vision
(11) lightheadedness
(12) yawning
Proposed criteria for the diagnosis of caffeine withdrawal were (page 24):
(1) abrupt withdrawal or reduction in the amount of caffeine used
(2) 3 or more of the following
(2a) headache
(2b) fatigue or drowsiness
(2c) dysphoric mood or depressed mood or irritability
(2d) difficulty concentrating
(2e) flu-like somatic symptoms, nausea, vomiting or muscle pain and stiffness
The differential diagnosis includes viral infection or withdrawal from other drugs.
