It is well-known that sleep apnea is linked to a variety of serious physical complications, including diabetes and heart disease. However, research shows that untreated sleep apnea can have mental and emotional consequences as well. In particular, sleep apnea can increase the chance of developing depression. 

Sleep Apnea and Depression

Drowsiness, moodiness, and lack of energy are common symptoms of this sleep disorder. So maybe it's not surprising that a new study has confirmed a link between sleep apnea and depression.

Studies Show Depression Risk in Sleep Apnea Patients

Research recently presented at the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference¹ examined the correlation between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), daytime sleepiness, and depression in nearly 2000 males. 

Both OSA and daytime sleepiness were associated with depression. Men with undiagnosed severe OSA had double the depression risk of their healthy counterparts. Men who experienced both undiagnosed OSA and excessive daytime sleepiness had 5 times the risk of depression of the healthy sleepers. 

This research confirms the results of another study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published back in 2012². That study surveyed nearly 10,000 Americans of both sexes and found that snorting or ceasing to breathe during sleep (signs of sleep apnea) was strongly correlated with depression risk.

Why are the two conditions related? 

Depression and sleep apnea share some common symptoms, such as tiredness, low energy, and poor concentration, and some risk factors, like increasing age. Beyond this connection, however, doctors have been unable to find a reason for this relationship or to determine causality.  Whether it means there's a genetic pre-disposition in men to suffer from both of these conditions, or whether it means that treating one condition will also treat the other, remains to be seen.

What Does This Mean?

Simply knowing that OSA and depression are related means that doctors can now be on the lookout for these conditions in their patients. Dr. Alan Manevitz, a psychiatrist at Lenox Hill hospital in New York City¹, recommends that If a patient is diagnosed with one of the two conditions, he should be screened for the other. 

If you match the symptoms mentioned above, or think you might have sleep apnea, it is important to be tested so that you can undergo treatment. Talk to your doctor about having a sleep study. 

Do you have an idea of why sleep apnea and depression could be relatled? Share your insight in the comments. 

Sources: 

1) National Institute of Health, Medline Plus. "Sleep Apnea May Boost Depression Risk in Men, Study Finds." Reporting on research from the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

2) Anne G. Wheaton, PhD, et. al. "Sleep Disordered Breathing and Depression Among U.S. Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2008". SLEEP Journal. 

Photo Credit: Ryan Melaugh. "Depression." Creative Commons License.