anxiety, depression and sleep apnea
Major depressive disorder (MDD), also known colloquially as clinical depression, or simply, depression, is a common but serious mood disorder that causes severe symptoms that affect a person's thoughts, feelings, and daily life.
MDD is more prevalent among patients with OSA than the general population. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 7% of the general population is affected by MDD; however, nearly 18% of those with OSA are affected by MDD.
Many symptoms of depression and OSA overlap because repeated awakenings associated with a sleep-related breathing disorder make restorative sleep impossible and cause related problems, including sleep disturbance, fatigue, irritability, trouble concentrating, and headache.
Even one night of restless sleep is enough to put a damper on your mood. But if you’re consistently not logging enough shut-eye, you may also find yourself feeling anxious and depressed.
People who have excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) are more likely to have mental health conditions such as depression, according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). And if you have untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing throughout the night and a leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Excessive daytime sleepiness isn’t the same thing as feeling a little tired — it’s defined as a struggle to stay awake, function, and perform your day-to-day tasks at work and at home. EDS isn’t a condition itself but a symptom of a larger, more serious sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea.
Some compelling research has shown a link between obstructive sleep apnea and an increased risk for mood disorders. For example:
- People with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder may also be more likely to have apnea, according to a study published in February 2015 in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
- Frequent snoring and pauses in breathing are associated with a greater likelihood of depression, according to a study published in April 2012 in the journal Sleep. The risk of depression was significantly higher for people diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.
- Among adults with obstructive sleep apnea, 53.9 percent and 46.1 percent of them have some degree of anxiety or depression, respectively, according to a study published in March 2014 in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.
- As many as 14 percent of suicidal adults with major depressive disorder were found to have obstructive sleep apnea, according to a study published in September 2019 in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.
treatment solutions
AIRWAY ORTHODONTICS
A healthy airway is the foundation for optimal health at any age and is the foundation for orthodontic treatment.
MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY and devices
A program used to correct the improper function of the tongue and facial muscles. It involves strengthening of the tongue and orofacial muscles by teaching individuals how to engage the muscles to the appropriate position.
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