A common sleep disorder characterized by frequent breathing interruptions during sleep is called sleep apnea. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that 18 million Americans suffer from the condition, which is quite a remarkable number.

As a result of the repeated awakenings, people with the disorder have trouble getting enough sleep, develop insomnia, and suffer from fatigue and headaches. All of these can severely affect the quality of their lives, and according to research lead to depression.

What’s more, research shows that 15 million Americans have a significant depressive episode every year. That said, we can conclude that a large number of the American population might be affected by both sleep apnea and depression.

Therefore, let’s have a closer look at the connection between sleep apnea and depression.

The Research

Research indicates that there’s a clear link between sleep and mood, and of course, sleep deprivation and depression. Some people have symptoms of both conditions simultaneously, while others may experience a lack of sleep first, and then depression.

As both sleep apnea and depression have some risk factors in common, the chances of developing either of them grow notably. One study claims that insomnia caused by sleep apnea has the greatest connection to depression and anxiety. Also, another study shows that nearly 50% of people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have depressive symptoms, too.

The Symptoms

Indeed, as depression and sleep apnea symptoms overlap sometimes, people typically find it hard to distinguish between them. Hence, to better understand them, here’s a brief overview of the symptoms of these conditions.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

• Lack of sleep
• Insomnia
• Loud snoring
• Breathing cessation
• Frequent awakenings
• Shortness of breath
• Concentration issues
• Daytime tiredness
• Morning headaches
• Irritability

Depression Symptoms

• Lack of sleep
• Insomnia
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Concentration issues
• Headaches
• Appetite changes
• Mood swings
• Irritability and anger

If you’ve noticed any of the above-listed symptoms, ensure you consult your primary care physician and clearly describe the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. Then, you should do an overnight sleep study to check whether or not you have sleep apnea as this is the first step toward getting the right diagnosis – sleep apnea or depression.

Based on the results of the test you may be referred to either a sleep specialist or mental health professional.

The Treatment

In case you get diagnosed with sleep apnea, treating the disorder would be your number one priority which will then contribute to alleviating depression symptoms, especially if sleep apnea is the main culprit for developing depression.

Some methods are indeed helpful for treating both conditions, including:

• Practice regular exercise – not only will exercise relieve depression but will also help in weight loss which is key if you are obese and have OSA.
• Avoid back sleeping – sleeping on your back may block your airway and trigger sleep apnea symptoms leading to sleepless nights, and eventually causing depression.
• Limit alcohol consumption – not that you cannot have a drink once in a while, but frequent alcohol consumption can only worsen both depression and sleep apnea.
• Avoid sleeping pills – contrary to popular belief, taking sleeping pills won’t relieve your sleep apnea symptoms and can cause depression in some people.

The bottom line, if you are suffering from sleep apnea or depression, or both, ensure you consult your doctor and implement some healthy lifestyle changes that will help you alleviate the symptoms of both conditions.