Sleep Apnea Blog

Posts Tagged ‘depression’

Can depression or anxiety be caused by a sleep disorder (specifically Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder) or is the sleep disorder caused by the depression and anxiety? Or can it be either?

It can be either. We don’t always know what comes first-the chicken or the egg, so to speak-what we know is that there is a relationship. Serotonin is produced during sleep, so a disruption in sleep would affect serotonin levels and this could result in depression, particularly if the disruption was long term. Sleep disturbances are a hallmark of depression and could lead to a sleep disorder resulting from chronic insomnia. That’s why good sleep hygiene practices are so important in managing depression and why shift-work can exacerbate mental health issues in many people, especially those who are predisposed.

the amt of the neurotransmitter SEROTONIN in the brain effects ( may cause) depression; it is also involved in regulating sleep.

Dr. Brock Rondeau Explains Sleep Apnea and Snoring Causes,Sypmtoms and effects on the bodies of Adults and Children.

Duration : 0:9:30

Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Mark,

The answer is yes, you may have depression if you have sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea tend to become social isolated from their partners and children because of their fatigue and sleepiness.

In this case, the solution is to start the treatment of sleep apnea before all this problems arise.
You need all the support of the family and friends to continue the therapy.

I have been diagnosed with major depression, and I have unrefreshing sleep. Now I know thats more likely to be because of decreased REM sleep but I’m considering what are the chances of it being sleep apnea? like central sleep apnea? Do most people wake up realising they’ve stopped breathing? Do they wake up several times a night? I highly doubt I have it since I don’t doze off randomly during the day or have morning headaches but I’m just wondering.
woops was going to post this in respiratory diseases. oh well

Many people with sleep apnea have absolutely no idea that they have it. You can be waking up hundreds of times through the night because you are not breathing, but be totally unaware this is happening.

If you sleep with someone, your bed partner is more apt to be aware of your sleep apnea than you.

Snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, though not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Best to talk with your doctor about your concerns. He can refer you to have a sleep study done.

All that about apnea, I want to include some other thoughts on depression. Apnea can contribute to depression, but so can countless other things. Excessive stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, lack of social support, and more. Lots of books out there on the subject, but one I find very informative is entitled "Optimum Nutrition for the Mind" by Patrick Holford. It covers many mental ills, including depression. It also gives some very specific and helpful recommendations about diet and supplement support.

Tammy Balatgek, DDS of the Center for TMJ & Sleep Disorders, LLC in Reading PA reviews the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Duration : 0:2:32

Read the rest of this entry »

Patients of Board Certified Dental Sleep Medicine Dentist and National lecturer, Tammy Balatgek, DDS in Reading PA, explain oral appliance treatment for snoring and sleep apnea.

Duration : 0:7:7

Read the rest of this entry »

Well I’ve had unrefreshing sleep for about idk 2 years, luckily it hasn’t deteriorated my school grades too much. I’ve also been diagnosed with major depression but I’m thinking is it depression that is affecting my sleep or could it be something else? It always feels as though I never actually go into deep sleep.
basically what are the symptoms of sleep apnea? and you reckon i should check whether i have it just to be completely sure because my antidepressants have done nothing for my sleep.

Sleep apnea can have several causes. The most common is obesity, leading to the neck and throat tissues to narrow the airway while sleeping.

Symptoms include loud snoring, pauses in breathing while asleep followed by an abrupt "snort" or gasp. These would be observed by someone other than you. A person with sleep apnea actually wakes up to start breathing, though they are not conscious of it. They cannot get to the deep levels of restorative sleep. Daytime symptoms include "Pickwickian" spells, or falling asleep while doing normal activities. (like talking, driving, and other things where people don’t normally fall asleep)

So, have a family member or your bed partner watch you sleep to see how many times per night you stop breathing. For sleep apnea it is often 15-100 x per night.

However, depression is a leading cause of poor sleep, and this is most likely what you have. Some antidepressants actually hinder sleep, so ask your doctor. You may also need a sleep aid for 4-6 weeks to "retrain" your body to get deep sleep.

Other things that can lead to poor sleep: poor sleep hygeine (not going to bed a the same time each night, exercise before bed, and many more), chronic caffeine use, other medications, restless leg syndrome.

Talk with your doctor. If it looks, walks, and quacks like a duck, then it’s a duck. I’d bet that your depression is the cause of your sleep problem.

Best of luck

Dr. Rondeau in the 3rd part of a 3 part series on newest advances in treating and curing sleep apnea and snoring

Duration : 0:9:31

Read the rest of this entry »