Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSleep Apnea and DepressionEffect on Mental HealthCPAP BenefitsTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Sleep Apnea and Depression
Effect on Mental Health
CPAP Benefits
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes intermittent interruptions in breathing during sleep. There is some evidence that sleep apnea is linked to mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious medical complications, such as heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and sudden death.
Sleep apnea is a common medical condition. Current estimates suggest that about 22 million adults in the U.S. have sleep apnea.The most common type isobstructive sleep apnea(OSA), in which the airway is blocked during sleep.
Learn why sleep apnea affects mental health, symptoms to look for, how treatment can help, and ways to cope.
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Researchers have noticed a possible link between sleep apnea and depression, especiallymajor depressive disorder(MDD). However, it’s still unclear exactly how that association works and what causes it.
The Importance of Sleep
Overlapping Symptoms
Sleep apnea and depression have some symptoms in common, such asdaytime sleepiness, memory loss, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings.Both conditions can interfere with daily functioning. This can sometimes make it hard to tell which condition is causing which symptoms.
Othersigns and symptoms of sleep apneainclude:
Additional signs and symptoms of MDD include:
Seek HelpIf you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.For more mental health resources, see thisNational Helpline Database.
Seek Help
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.For more mental health resources, see thisNational Helpline Database.
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
For more mental health resources, see thisNational Helpline Database.
Effect of Sleep Apnea on Mental Health
There is a strong association between sleep apnea and mental health symptoms. Here are some recent findings of the link between OSA and depression:
Untreated sleep apnea and depression also share some risk factors in common—especiallyobesityand being overweight—and can lead to some of the same health complications.These may include:
Ultimately, the relationship between sleep apnea and depression is complex.
Breathing interruptions from sleep apnea may disrupt your ability to fall asleep and your overall sleep quality, making you more prone to developing depression and other complications from long-term sleep deprivation.
Some researchers have also suggested that sleep apnea’s effects on oxygen saturation in the blood during sleep could contribute to the development of depressive symptoms.
What’s more, depression may make it harder for you to maintain a healthy weight or stay physically active, which can increase your risk of developing OSA.
Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed with asleep study(overnight polysomnogram). During a sleep study, a sleep specialist records your eye and leg movements, heart rate and rhythms, breathing rate, and oxygen levels while you rest. This will help determine whether you have mild, moderate, or severe OSA.
The first choice of treatment for sleep apnea is positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. PAP therapy, which keeps your airways open with pressurized air and prevents apnea events, involves wearing a mask over your nose or nose and mouth while you sleep. The most common type of PAP device is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
Other Therapies
While CPAP is the main treatment for OSA, your doctor may recommend other therapies or preventive measures, such as:
The Best and Worst Sleep Positions for Health Conditions
Treatment for Depression and Sleep Apnea
If you have both MDD and OSA, it’s important to seek treatment for both conditions. Lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication can help you manage your depression-linked sleep apnea.
Lifestyle Changes
Prioritizing sleep and overall health is key to coping with the symptoms of both sleep apnea and depression. Here are some lifestyle changes you can make in order to effectively manage both conditions:
Medication and Therapy
Your doctor may prescribeantidepressantsto help boost your mood and gradually improve your depressive symptoms.If you have OSA or any other co-occurring conditions, let your doctor know before taking any prescription drugs. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can also help with symptoms of depression.
Summary
Sleep apnea is a common medical condition that causes intermittent disruptions in breathing during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Many people with OSA also have symptoms of depression.
If you have both OSA and depression, it’s important to treat both conditions. The first choice of treatment for sleep apnea is positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, usually with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
Depression can be treated with prescribed medications,talk therapy, or both. Lifestyle changes, such as staying physically active and establishing a consistent bedtime routine, can help with both conditions. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of depression, sleep apnea, or both.
Frequently Asked QuestionsPeople with depression should try to get the recommended number of hours per sleep for adults each night, which is between seven and nine hours.However, depression can make it harder to stay and fall asleep. Some people with depression may sleep too much or too little, oversleep, or wake up too early.If you feel your CPAP machine is no longer fitting comfortably or that it is leaking air while you sleep, it may need to be adjusted. Your CPAP machine may also need attention if your sleep apnea symptoms are getting worse or failing to improve. If you are experiencing five or more apnea events per hour while wearing your CPAP device, it might need an adjustment.Being overweight is a risk factor for developing both sleep apnea and depression. Around two-thirds of people with sleep apnea are overweight or obese.Both conditions can also put you more at risk of gaining excess weight due to decreased physical activity related to daytime fatigue, depressed mood, and decreased energy.
People with depression should try to get the recommended number of hours per sleep for adults each night, which is between seven and nine hours.However, depression can make it harder to stay and fall asleep. Some people with depression may sleep too much or too little, oversleep, or wake up too early.
People with depression should try to get the recommended number of hours per sleep for adults each night, which is between seven and nine hours.
However, depression can make it harder to stay and fall asleep. Some people with depression may sleep too much or too little, oversleep, or wake up too early.
If you feel your CPAP machine is no longer fitting comfortably or that it is leaking air while you sleep, it may need to be adjusted. Your CPAP machine may also need attention if your sleep apnea symptoms are getting worse or failing to improve. If you are experiencing five or more apnea events per hour while wearing your CPAP device, it might need an adjustment.
Being overweight is a risk factor for developing both sleep apnea and depression. Around two-thirds of people with sleep apnea are overweight or obese.Both conditions can also put you more at risk of gaining excess weight due to decreased physical activity related to daytime fatigue, depressed mood, and decreased energy.
18 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 Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Sleep apnea information page.American Sleep Apnea Association.Sleep apnea information for clinicians.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.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: PMC4061640Lang CJ, Appleton SL, Vakulin A, et al.Associations of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness with depression: an Australian population study.J Clin Sleep Med. 2017;13(4):575-582. doi:10.5664/jcsm.6546Chen CM, Kuo CY, Wu MN, Hung JY, Hsu CY, Tsai MJ.Increased risk of major depressive disorder in sleep apnea patients in Taiwan.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):765. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-80759-3Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Physical characteristics.Taken K, Ekin S, Arısoy A, Günes M, Dönmez Mİ.Erectile dysfunction is a marker for obstructive sleep apnea.Aging Male.2015;19(2):102-105. doi: 10.3109/13685538.2015.1131259.Sillah A, Watson NF, Schwartz SM, Gozal D, Phipps AI.Sleep apnea and subsequent cancer incidence.Cancer Causes Control. 2018;29(10):987-994. doi:10.1007/s10552-018-1073-5Krysta K, Bratek A, Zawada K, Stepańczak R.Cognitive deficits in adults with obstructive sleep apnea compared to children and adolescents.J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2017;124(Suppl 1):187-201. doi:10.1007/s00702-015-1501-6Szabó K, Ihász F.Az alvás alatt jelentkező oxigénszaturáció-csökkenés hatása a depresszióra [The effect of reduced oxygen saturation during sleep on depression].Orv Hetil. 2019;160(20):780-783. doi:10.1556/650.2019.31401National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Sleep apnea.Sleep Foundation.How does a sleep study work?Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Understanding PAP.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Nonsurgical treatments.Sleep Foundation.How much sleep do we really need?ResMed.What should my CPAP pressure be?
18 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 Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Sleep apnea information page.American Sleep Apnea Association.Sleep apnea information for clinicians.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.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: PMC4061640Lang CJ, Appleton SL, Vakulin A, et al.Associations of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness with depression: an Australian population study.J Clin Sleep Med. 2017;13(4):575-582. doi:10.5664/jcsm.6546Chen CM, Kuo CY, Wu MN, Hung JY, Hsu CY, Tsai MJ.Increased risk of major depressive disorder in sleep apnea patients in Taiwan.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):765. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-80759-3Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Physical characteristics.Taken K, Ekin S, Arısoy A, Günes M, Dönmez Mİ.Erectile dysfunction is a marker for obstructive sleep apnea.Aging Male.2015;19(2):102-105. doi: 10.3109/13685538.2015.1131259.Sillah A, Watson NF, Schwartz SM, Gozal D, Phipps AI.Sleep apnea and subsequent cancer incidence.Cancer Causes Control. 2018;29(10):987-994. doi:10.1007/s10552-018-1073-5Krysta K, Bratek A, Zawada K, Stepańczak R.Cognitive deficits in adults with obstructive sleep apnea compared to children and adolescents.J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2017;124(Suppl 1):187-201. doi:10.1007/s00702-015-1501-6Szabó K, Ihász F.Az alvás alatt jelentkező oxigénszaturáció-csökkenés hatása a depresszióra [The effect of reduced oxygen saturation during sleep on depression].Orv Hetil. 2019;160(20):780-783. doi:10.1556/650.2019.31401National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Sleep apnea.Sleep Foundation.How does a sleep study work?Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Understanding PAP.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Nonsurgical treatments.Sleep Foundation.How much sleep do we really need?ResMed.What should my CPAP pressure be?
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 Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Sleep apnea information page.American Sleep Apnea Association.Sleep apnea information for clinicians.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.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: PMC4061640Lang CJ, Appleton SL, Vakulin A, et al.Associations of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness with depression: an Australian population study.J Clin Sleep Med. 2017;13(4):575-582. doi:10.5664/jcsm.6546Chen CM, Kuo CY, Wu MN, Hung JY, Hsu CY, Tsai MJ.Increased risk of major depressive disorder in sleep apnea patients in Taiwan.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):765. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-80759-3Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Physical characteristics.Taken K, Ekin S, Arısoy A, Günes M, Dönmez Mİ.Erectile dysfunction is a marker for obstructive sleep apnea.Aging Male.2015;19(2):102-105. doi: 10.3109/13685538.2015.1131259.Sillah A, Watson NF, Schwartz SM, Gozal D, Phipps AI.Sleep apnea and subsequent cancer incidence.Cancer Causes Control. 2018;29(10):987-994. doi:10.1007/s10552-018-1073-5Krysta K, Bratek A, Zawada K, Stepańczak R.Cognitive deficits in adults with obstructive sleep apnea compared to children and adolescents.J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2017;124(Suppl 1):187-201. doi:10.1007/s00702-015-1501-6Szabó K, Ihász F.Az alvás alatt jelentkező oxigénszaturáció-csökkenés hatása a depresszióra [The effect of reduced oxygen saturation during sleep on depression].Orv Hetil. 2019;160(20):780-783. doi:10.1556/650.2019.31401National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Sleep apnea.Sleep Foundation.How does a sleep study work?Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Understanding PAP.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Nonsurgical treatments.Sleep Foundation.How much sleep do we really need?ResMed.What should my CPAP pressure be?
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Sleep apnea information page.
American Sleep Apnea Association.Sleep apnea information for clinicians.
National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.
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
Lang CJ, Appleton SL, Vakulin A, et al.Associations of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness with depression: an Australian population study.J Clin Sleep Med. 2017;13(4):575-582. doi:10.5664/jcsm.6546
Chen CM, Kuo CY, Wu MN, Hung JY, Hsu CY, Tsai MJ.Increased risk of major depressive disorder in sleep apnea patients in Taiwan.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):765. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-80759-3
Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Physical characteristics.
Taken K, Ekin S, Arısoy A, Günes M, Dönmez Mİ.Erectile dysfunction is a marker for obstructive sleep apnea.Aging Male.2015;19(2):102-105. doi: 10.3109/13685538.2015.1131259.
Sillah A, Watson NF, Schwartz SM, Gozal D, Phipps AI.Sleep apnea and subsequent cancer incidence.Cancer Causes Control. 2018;29(10):987-994. doi:10.1007/s10552-018-1073-5
Krysta K, Bratek A, Zawada K, Stepańczak R.Cognitive deficits in adults with obstructive sleep apnea compared to children and adolescents.J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2017;124(Suppl 1):187-201. doi:10.1007/s00702-015-1501-6
Szabó K, Ihász F.Az alvás alatt jelentkező oxigénszaturáció-csökkenés hatása a depresszióra [The effect of reduced oxygen saturation during sleep on depression].Orv Hetil. 2019;160(20):780-783. doi:10.1556/650.2019.31401
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Sleep apnea.
Sleep Foundation.How does a sleep study work?
Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Understanding PAP.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Nonsurgical treatments.
Sleep Foundation.How much sleep do we really need?
ResMed.What should my CPAP pressure be?
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