Sleep Apnea and Depression

Many people have wondered whether there is a correlation between sleep apnea and depression. There have been studies done on the correlation between them and the majority of studies have concluded that there is an association. These same studies have determined that depression symptoms lessen with the treatment of sleep apnea. If sleep apnea is untreated then the depression symptoms have remained.

Studies have also shown that people with depression are five times likely to have a breathing related sleep disorder than people who are not depressed. If depressed, it may be a good idea to consult with your doctor to determine whether you have a sleep disorder. Sleep apnea and depression are disorders that can disrupt your life immensely.

Depressed people may also suffer from chronic snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep apnea and depression if left untreated can disrupt a persons family, professional and social life.

It is known though that the symptoms of depression and obstructed sleep apnea are common to both of these disorders thus there being a close relationship between the two.

Sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia prevent you from getting a good nights rest. Hence, a lack of sleep makes you irritable and in a bad mood and just takes the life out of you. The result of a lack of result could be decreased performance at work, increased risk of injury or mistake. These are depression-causing symptoms. As you can see, there is a correlation between sleep apnea and depression.

Insomnia can disrupt a person's life just like sleep apnea. Insomnia causes a person to start worrying about getting enough sleep. As it escalates, you begin to get depressed. Depression can also cause a person to experience insomnia.

Many shift workers will experience disorders such as insomnia and depression because they find it impossible to sleep during the day. Sleep apnea and depression can also cause severe sleeping problems in shift workers as well. People who live in northern climates that see a reduction in sunlight during the winter months experience a disorder called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Studies have been conducted that suggest that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is definitely associated with a higher rate of depression and that people who get their sleep apnea treated could have their depression controlled as well. A specific study done where eighteen thousand people in five different countries were contacted by telephone to answer questions on sleep patterns, sleep schedules, breathing related sleep disorders, mental disorders and other medical conditions. The results were that 2.1 percent of the people questioned had sleep apnea and 2.5 percent had another type of breathing-related sleep disorder. Eighteen percent of the people who had a depressive type disorder also had a breathing-related sleep disorder. Thus, a five-time increase in likelihood of a breathing-related disorder among people with a depressive disorder. Sleep apnea and depression were linked according to this study. One thing the study cannot confirm is what came first, the sleep apnea or the depression. It is clear though that more research needs to be done on this subject.

Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Our site focuses on sleep apnea treatments and symptoms for sufferers of sleep apnea.
by T. D. Houser