Feeling occasionally sad is a fundamental part of being human, particularly during trying or tough times. In contrast, constant feelings of anxiety, sadness, and disinterest in things that you previously enjoyed are signs of depression, which affects at least 20 million Americans.

Depression isn't something you can ignore or just will away. Rather, the serious disorder affects how you sleep, eat, feel, and think. While the cause is unknown, treatment can control it effectively.

The link between sleep and depression is intricate-depression may result in sleep issues and sleep issues may contribute to or cause depressive disorders. Nevertheless, researchers have in particular established a link between sleep apnea and depression.

In the past, a patient had to spend the night in a sleep lab for diagnosis of a sleep disorder to take place. Fortunately, convenient inventions such as our sleep disorder test will generate results in an efficient manner. Here's what you need to know about sleep apnea and depression.

Sleep Apnea and Depression

Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by complete or partial cessation of breathing, snoring, and reductions in the level of blood oxygen, serious sleep fragmentation, and excessive daytime sleepiness. The syndrome affects both genders, all ages, and races.

The potential consequences of the disorder are significant and comprise hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Apnea can generate symptoms of depression, which may respond fast to treatment. Knowledge of the emotional and intellectual impact of apnea may be significant in making a precise differential diagnosis.

Unfortunately, numerous psychologists, physicians, and psychiatrists may be oblivious to the connection between apnea and depression. Insomnia symptoms are common among depressed persons and evidence suggests that persons with insomnia have a very high likelihood of developing depression in comparison with those who obtain adequate sleep.

Depressed persons may experience a range of insomnia symptoms, for instance, difficulty falling or staying asleep, daytime sleepiness, and unrefreshing sleep. One theory that explains the association between apnea and depression is that the hypoxia (lack of oxygen) that occurs during apnea may generate problems in the brain and body, resulting in depression.

Additionally, apnea may cause body inflammation and affect neurotransmitter activity; both of these could contribute to symptoms of depression. Another likely explanation is that the development of depression occurs in response to other symptoms of apnea such as poor quality of sleep.

Remember, apnea may contribute to poor sleep, resulting in fatigue, sleepiness, and other symptoms, which could trigger depression in turn.

Treatment

Numerous people experience relief from depressive symptoms when they treat and address their sleep apnea. Nevertheless, it's important to note that sleep disorders may complicate depression treatment. For instance, you must avoid sedating antidepressant drugs if you have depression and sleep apnea. This is because they're likely to suppress breathing and exacerbate sleep apnea.

Before you start therapy for depression, we recommend you inform your physician of any sleep symptoms you're experiencing. In some instances, treating the sleep disorder efficiently may be enough to ease depressive symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is increasingly becoming popular as a treatment approach because of its effectiveness and the fact that it doesn't have side effects. The essential features of the approach comprise cognitive restructuring. The technique targets the thoughts, which contribute to depressive feelings.

It also focuses on behavioral activation, which targets any behavior that may extend depression. Clinicians may use the CBT approach to treat depression and insomnia simultaneously. Beware that the treatment for clinical depression may take time. In fact, depression medications frequently take weeks for the full effect to take place and some people may need to try various drugs before finding a suitable one.

Bear in mind that you shouldn't stop taking your depression medication because you've seen an improvement in your symptoms. Beware that this may cause recurring symptoms or other effects. It's imperative you seek consultation with your health provider before you make any changes to your medication regimen or depression therapy.

Coping

Depression can be exhausting, stressful, and can make you feel hopeless and helpless. Along with treatment with a mental health or medical professional, some tips can help you cope daily. For instance, you can keep a sleep schedule, obtain some form of daily exercise, and limit alcohol and caffeine.

If you've been experiencing depressive symptoms but aren't certain whether they're related to insomnia, perhaps you should consider our sleep insomnia test for confirmation.

VirtuOx is the leader in home sleep tests and pulse oximetry.