Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Anxiety?How Anxiety Affects SleepSleep ApneaHow They’re ConnectedTreatmentWhen to Talk to Your DoctorSummaryA Word From VerywellFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Anxiety?
How Anxiety Affects Sleep
Sleep Apnea
How They’re Connected
Treatment
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked Questions
Anxiety can sometimes makesleepapneaworse—and vice versa. Sleep apnea is a common medical condition that causes your breathing to stop intermittently during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which the upper airway gets blocked during the night.
This article discusses how sleep apnea andanxietyare connected, including symptoms, treatment, and how to talk to your doctor.
tommaso79 / Getty Images
Symptoms
Occasional anxiety is typical and expected.However, when someone experiences chronic or excessive anxiety, they may have an anxiety disorder.
Someone may havegeneralized anxiety disorder(GAD), for example, if they experience excessive anxiety or worry most days for at least six months.Their anxiety can cause problems in relationships, work, school, and other aspects of daily living.
According to the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition” (DSM-5), symptoms of GAD include:
Other anxiety disorders includepanic disorder(recurring panic attacks) andphobia-related disorders(extreme fear of specific things or situations).
Sleep problems and anxiety can be intricatelyconnected.
Insomnia(difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep), chronic sleep deprivation, and poor quality sleep can worsen anxiety. In turn, stress and anxiety can make it hard to fall or stay asleep and to get restful sleep regularly.
For example, someone with anxiety might toss and turn at night because of their patterns of overthinking or intrusive worries. The next day, they may be less able to cope with daily stressors because their physical, mental, and emotional functioning is compromised after a night of poor sleep.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) points out that nearly all psychiatric problems involve some kind of disruption in sleep. People with chronic insomnia are also at a higher risk of developing sleep-related disorders, such as sleep apnea.
What Is Sleep Anxiety?Some people with sleep disorders, anxiety, or both eventually develop sleep anxiety. Sleep anxiety refers to distress about falling or staying asleep. This is a form of anticipatory anxiety, which involves a sense of dread and preoccupation.
What Is Sleep Anxiety?
Some people with sleep disorders, anxiety, or both eventually develop sleep anxiety. Sleep anxiety refers to distress about falling or staying asleep. This is a form of anticipatory anxiety, which involves a sense of dread and preoccupation.
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes breathing to stop or become shallow during the night. These pauses in breathing, called “apneas,” often last 10 seconds or more and can occur 30 or more times per hour in severe cases.
The most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
If untreated, sleep apnea can lead to several possible medical complications and other problems, including:
How Sleep Apnea Is Connected to Anxiety
Some research suggests that sleep apnea and anxiety are often co-occurring conditions. One 2014 study revealed that people with OSA were more likely to have symptoms of anxiety. Severe OSA was linked to an even higher likelihood of anxiety symptoms. People with sleep apnea were also likelier to have bothanxiety and depressionthan just one or the other.
A 2019 study echoed these results, revealing that the incidence of anxiety disorders and depression was higher in people with sleep apnea than in people without it. This was especially true among female patients.
Comorbidity of Anxiety and DepressionMany people have both anxiety and depression. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about 60% of people with anxiety also have symptoms of depression.
Comorbidity of Anxiety and Depression
Many people have both anxiety and depression. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about 60% of people with anxiety also have symptoms of depression.
The only definitive way to be diagnosed with sleep apnea is through a sleep study, also known aspolysomnography. After a referral from your doctor, a sleep specialist uses a sleep study to measure your oxygen levels, brain waves, heart rate and rhythms, and leg movements for about six hours overnight.
With this data, a specialist can determine the severity of your sleep apnea based on your apnea-hypopneaindex (AHI)—the number of times you stop breathing for 10 seconds or more per hour.
The first choice of treatment for sleep apnea is positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, which requires sleeping with a small mask over your nose or over your nose and mouth.
Usually, this involves being fitted for acontinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which blows pressurized air into your lungs as you sleep to keep your airways open and prevent apneas.
If you have both sleep apnea and anxiety, it’s important to seek treatment for both conditions. Treatment for anxiety can include:
To address sleep problems, including sleep anxiety, it can also be helpful to practice goodsleep habits.Healthy sleep habits include:
Sleep Apnea and Sleep AnxietySleep anxiety and sleep apnea can work in tandem, with one often making the other worse. With the right sleep apnea treatment, both sleep apnea and sleep anxiety can improve.
Sleep Apnea and Sleep Anxiety
Sleep anxiety and sleep apnea can work in tandem, with one often making the other worse. With the right sleep apnea treatment, both sleep apnea and sleep anxiety can improve.
Evidence-Based Benefits of Magnesium for Sleep
If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, anxiety, or both, talk to your doctor about getting a referral for a specialist. Consider talking to your doctor if you have any of the following signs or symptoms:
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes your breathing to stop or become shallow intermittently while you sleep. Sleep apnea symptoms include gasping or choking for air, snoring, daytime sleepiness and fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and trouble staying awake during the day.
Many people with sleep apnea also have anxiety, which can make their symptoms worse. In turn, many people with anxiety have trouble falling and staying asleep.
The first choice of treatment for sleep apnea is usually positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, which involves blowing compressed air into the lungs through a mask or nose tubes during sleep. This usually requires a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device at night.
Treatment for anxiety can include talk therapy, medication, andrelaxation techniques. People with both sleep apnea and anxiety should also practice good sleep habits, such as establishing a consistent bedtime routine, sleeping in a dark room, getting physical activity during the day, and turning off all devices an hour before bedtime.
Both sleep apnea and anxiety can disrupt your sleep patterns, cause distress, and make it hard to focus during the day. Talk to your doctor about getting treatment for sleep apnea, anxiety, or both in order to start getting a better night of rest.
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition, which means it’s not curable. However, it can be managed with proper diagnosis and treatment. Treatment for sleep apnea usually involves positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, which blows pressurized air into the lungs through a small mask or nose tubes during the night.
Many people first notice they have sleep apnea because of excessive daytime sleepiness.They may have difficulty concentrating or fall asleep during the day.Other people notice that they wake up intermittently with a choking or gasping sensation. Their partners might notice that they snore frequently during the night or take long pauses in breathing while they sleep.
Many people first notice they have sleep apnea because of excessive daytime sleepiness.They may have difficulty concentrating or fall asleep during the day.
Other people notice that they wake up intermittently with a choking or gasping sensation. Their partners might notice that they snore frequently during the night or take long pauses in breathing while they sleep.
Magnesium supplements may work as a natural sleep aid for older adults although studies have not been of high enough quality to make a firm conclusion.Magnesium glycinate is available in many over-the-counter (OTC) magnesium supplements, and it’s often been used in sleep-related research. It’s easily digestible, which can also make it better for sleep.
Magnesium supplements may work as a natural sleep aid for older adults although studies have not been of high enough quality to make a firm conclusion.
Magnesium glycinate is available in many over-the-counter (OTC) magnesium supplements, and it’s often been used in sleep-related research. It’s easily digestible, which can also make it better for sleep.
Practicing healthy sleep habits can improve symptoms of sleep-related anxiety. Turning off your phone and other devices an hour before you go to bed can help to reduce any distractions. It’s also helpful to establish a calming bedtime routine, follow a consistent sleep schedule, and sleep in a dark, cool room.
Like other kinds of anxiety, sleep anxiety is often treated with mental health therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and prescribed medications.Practicing good sleep hygiene habits and establishing a bedtime routine can also improve sleep anxiety.Treating any underlying sleep-related problems, such as sleep apnea, can also help address your dread about falling or staying asleep.
Like other kinds of anxiety, sleep anxiety is often treated with mental health therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and prescribed medications.Practicing good sleep hygiene habits and establishing a bedtime routine can also improve sleep anxiety.
Treating any underlying sleep-related problems, such as sleep apnea, can also help address your dread about falling or staying asleep.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Sleep apnea.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Rising prevalence of sleep apnea in U.S. threatens public health.Jean-Louis G, Brown CD, Zizi F, et al.Cardiovascular disease risk reduction with sleep apnea treatment.Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2010;8(7):995-1005. doi:10.1586/erc.10.55American Psychological Association.Anxiety.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.Sleep Foundation.Anxiety and sleep.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Sleep disorders.MedlinePlus.Sleep apnea.Su VY, Chen YT, Lin WC, et al.Sleep apnea and risk of panic disorder.Ann Fam Med. 2015;13(4):325-330. doi:10.1370/afm.1815Rezaeitalab F, Moharrari F, Saberi S, Asadpour H, Rezaeetalab F.The correlation of anxiety and depression with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.J Res Med Sci. 2014;19(3):205-210. PMCID: PMC4061640Kim JY, Ko I, Kim DK.Association of obstructive sleep apnea with the risk of affective disorders.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2019;145(11):1020-1026. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.2435National Alliance on Mental Illness.The comorbidity of anxiety and depression.MedlinePlus.Sleep study.Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Understanding PAP.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Anxiety disorders.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep.Mah J, Pitre T.Oral magnesium supplementation for insomnia in older adults: a systematic review & meta-analysis.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21(1):125. doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03297-z
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Sleep apnea.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Rising prevalence of sleep apnea in U.S. threatens public health.Jean-Louis G, Brown CD, Zizi F, et al.Cardiovascular disease risk reduction with sleep apnea treatment.Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2010;8(7):995-1005. doi:10.1586/erc.10.55American Psychological Association.Anxiety.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.Sleep Foundation.Anxiety and sleep.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Sleep disorders.MedlinePlus.Sleep apnea.Su VY, Chen YT, Lin WC, et al.Sleep apnea and risk of panic disorder.Ann Fam Med. 2015;13(4):325-330. doi:10.1370/afm.1815Rezaeitalab F, Moharrari F, Saberi S, Asadpour H, Rezaeetalab F.The correlation of anxiety and depression with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.J Res Med Sci. 2014;19(3):205-210. PMCID: PMC4061640Kim JY, Ko I, Kim DK.Association of obstructive sleep apnea with the risk of affective disorders.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2019;145(11):1020-1026. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.2435National Alliance on Mental Illness.The comorbidity of anxiety and depression.MedlinePlus.Sleep study.Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Understanding PAP.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Anxiety disorders.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep.Mah J, Pitre T.Oral magnesium supplementation for insomnia in older adults: a systematic review & meta-analysis.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21(1):125. doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03297-z
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Sleep apnea.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Rising prevalence of sleep apnea in U.S. threatens public health.Jean-Louis G, Brown CD, Zizi F, et al.Cardiovascular disease risk reduction with sleep apnea treatment.Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2010;8(7):995-1005. doi:10.1586/erc.10.55American Psychological Association.Anxiety.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.Sleep Foundation.Anxiety and sleep.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Sleep disorders.MedlinePlus.Sleep apnea.Su VY, Chen YT, Lin WC, et al.Sleep apnea and risk of panic disorder.Ann Fam Med. 2015;13(4):325-330. doi:10.1370/afm.1815Rezaeitalab F, Moharrari F, Saberi S, Asadpour H, Rezaeetalab F.The correlation of anxiety and depression with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.J Res Med Sci. 2014;19(3):205-210. PMCID: PMC4061640Kim JY, Ko I, Kim DK.Association of obstructive sleep apnea with the risk of affective disorders.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2019;145(11):1020-1026. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.2435National Alliance on Mental Illness.The comorbidity of anxiety and depression.MedlinePlus.Sleep study.Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Understanding PAP.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Anxiety disorders.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep.Mah J, Pitre T.Oral magnesium supplementation for insomnia in older adults: a systematic review & meta-analysis.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21(1):125. doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03297-z
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Sleep apnea.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Rising prevalence of sleep apnea in U.S. threatens public health.
Jean-Louis G, Brown CD, Zizi F, et al.Cardiovascular disease risk reduction with sleep apnea treatment.Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2010;8(7):995-1005. doi:10.1586/erc.10.55
American Psychological Association.Anxiety.
National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.
Sleep Foundation.Anxiety and sleep.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Sleep disorders.
MedlinePlus.Sleep apnea.
Su VY, Chen YT, Lin WC, et al.Sleep apnea and risk of panic disorder.Ann Fam Med. 2015;13(4):325-330. doi:10.1370/afm.1815
Rezaeitalab F, Moharrari F, Saberi S, Asadpour H, Rezaeetalab F.The correlation of anxiety and depression with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.J Res Med Sci. 2014;19(3):205-210. PMCID: PMC4061640
Kim JY, Ko I, Kim DK.Association of obstructive sleep apnea with the risk of affective disorders.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2019;145(11):1020-1026. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.2435
National Alliance on Mental Illness.The comorbidity of anxiety and depression.
MedlinePlus.Sleep study.
Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Understanding PAP.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Anxiety disorders.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep.
Mah J, Pitre T.Oral magnesium supplementation for insomnia in older adults: a systematic review & meta-analysis.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21(1):125. doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03297-z
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
