A case supporting the benefits of CPAP therapy in depression

jskinner · Post by **jskinner** » Thu May 31, 2007 9:25 pm

We've talked about this before but again I wonder how many people out there are diagnosed and being treated for depression who's underlying problem is really sleep apnea.

http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/issues/ar ... -01_12.asp

rhowald · Post by **rhowald** » Thu May 31, 2007 10:05 pm

My PCP had discussed Sleep Apnea with me as I had poor memory, was irritable and tired all the time. On my next visit, we then discussed OSA, and I did sleep tests, etc...

Anyhow, long story short a month into OSA treatment I am not as tired anymore, and much less irritable.

I don't know that it is conclusive yet (but then I don't think I am where I need to be with my OSA treatment) but I can tell you from first hand experience the link between OSA and depression like symptoms is definitely there.

Robert

blowfish · Post by **blowfish** » Thu May 31, 2007 10:08 pm

Snorkel · Post by **Snorkel** » Thu May 31, 2007 10:13 pm

Good article, thanks for sharing,

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Thu May 31, 2007 11:50 pm

Yup, another good article.

I am in little doubt that well established OSA goes hand in hand with depression. Good therapy removes or significantly reduces it.

I noted in the SMH cpap article how the researchers commented as well, that frustration & anger are also common symptoms. Again - am inclined to agree.

DSM

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:23 am

Good article! It would be interesting to see research where they took people presenting with depression and gave them all a sleep study.

First, what percentage would have SDB. If this was high enough, and replicated, a case could be made for a new criterion to "rule out" SDB when someone was getting a diagnosis for depression.

Second, it would be interesting to look at their sleep patterns and compare things like REM and stages 3&4 in each group.

Probably too difficult and expensive, though.

Inquiring minds want to know.

jskinner · Post by **jskinner** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:08 am

RosemaryB wrote:It would be interesting to see research where they took people presenting with depression and gave them all a sleep study.

First, what percentage would have SDB. If this was high enough, and replicated, a case could be made for a new criterion to "rule out" SDB when someone was getting a diagnosis for depression.

Yes this would make a very interesting study. I agree that all people with depression should be screened for SDB.

I suspect we are along way from that now though. There is a huge industry built around the idea that depression is a 'disease' that needs to be treated on its own. Personally I think depression is a symptom and one needs to find the cause when it appears.

Janine · Post by **Janine** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 11:21 am

jskinner wrote:
I suspect we are along way from that now though. There is a huge industry built around the idea that depression is a 'disease' that needs to be treated on its own. Personally I think depression is a symptom and one needs to find the cause when it appears.

As a therapist, I agree. The mind body connection is often overlooked, but I know that when I pay attention to things like sleep, eating etc, clients report better results from talk therapy. Many many of the addictions clients I have had started out with sleep problems and self-medicated. (Not all, lots of childhood abuse too)

As a person with depression and sleep apnea, on antidepressants, I am really hoping that I will be able to get off them. I have type 1 diabetes, which also is associated with depression, so it is complex. I do know that after a month on cpap consistently, my world view is much brighter!. You can bet that my clients at least will get screened for sleep disorders!!!

Maybe I need to write something for my association...