Sleep Apnoea and depression
Sleep apnoea and depression share some common symptoms, such as:
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Lack of energy, feeling tired and listless
- Inability to concentrate on tasks
- Reduction in coordination
- Irritability
- Forgetfulness
- Weight gain
- Loss of libido.
As the symptoms are similar it can be difficult to decide whether someone with sleep apnoea truly has depression. However, studies suggest that people who have untreated sleep apnoea are more likely to have clinical depression than those who sleep well.
Reasons for depression in sleep apnoea
There are four reasons why you may feel depressed if you have sleep apnoea:
- Your sleep is continuously disrupted – Poor quality sleep can leave you feeling irritable, grumpy and excessively sleepy during the day. This can reduce your quality of life and lead to depression.
- Sleep apnoea activates the stress response – Each apnoea activates the fight-or-flight response, where stress hormones flood your body. Repeated activation of this response can result in exhaustion and depression.
- Sleep apnoea can lead to a major life-changing event – Untreated sleep apnoea can lead to major life events that can result in depression.
- You may have lost your job through lack of concentration.
- Personal relationships may be suffering due to grumpiness and irritability.
- You may have been involved in a car accident due to excessive sleepiness.
- Your health may deteriorate – Long-term untreated sleep apnoea can cause cardiovascular disease and worsen metabolic syndrome. These have both been linked to depression.
It is no wonder that people with sleep apnoea often feel hopeless and low. It may seem like there is no way out, but with support and treatment you can get better.
Treatment for sleep apnoea may help
If your depressive symptoms are solely due to the physical effects of sleep apnoea, treating your apnoeas may resolve the problem. Treatments such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea have been shown to reduce depressive symptoms in some people.
If depression persists despite treatment
If your symptoms of depression persist despite treatment for sleep apnoea, it is likely that you have clinical depression in addition to sleep apnoea. You may need specific therapy for depression, such as antidepressants, counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness-based CBT.
