Sleep Apnea Depression

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Comment by 99 on January 29, 2010 at 2:42am

there is reactive depression
and organic depression

reactive depession is your depressed because of the circumstances you find youself in
organic depression is a mental imbalance of brain chemistry

Comment by Stacy M. Portillo on August 8, 2009 at 11:58am

I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea - 3 months ago when I had my 3rd child in the hospital. I have always "burned the candle at both ends" but looking back, I have been diagnosed with depression, GAD (General Anxiety Disorder), didn't want to be active or do things socially so much with my husband after our first child (our 7 1/2 yr old) was born, was always "tired", anxious, stressed, depressed at times, tend to obsess about things and have LOTS of trouble focusing and being as productive as i KNOW i can be... tonite is my 2nd sleep study with the CPAP... I'm praying that I'm right and that (now that I know about the apnea) it is all connected and that i'll be a NEW person!

Comment by Brennan William Bilbao Crawford on August 5, 2009 at 7:47am

Sleep apnea doesn't sound as bad as it really is. Depression sounds a lot worse since it's a mental chemical imbalance. However, sleep apnea in my opinion is MUCH worse if not treated because it gives you so many problems, such as depression possibly being one of them. Now here's my story. He summer before my freshman year in high school I woke up one morning and decided I felt kind of funny, not too sure what I felt like, maybe a bit tired, but for sure never felt like it before.. I remember going outside to my pool and jumping in it expecting that the pools cool water would wake me up.. But sadly it never did and In fact since that day I never felt the same. Leading to me feeling very depresses, low self esteem, low energy, groggy, everything seemed pointless, my days literally turned into living hell no exaggeration, my mind was altered (imagine getting really drunk and compare that state of mind to your normal sober state, that was how much of a difference i felt by saying my mind was altered, that was the worst part too, because I didn't know anything about altered minds because I've never drinkin or anything before that. My parents always told me that it was my fault for complaining too much or not getting enough sleep. Once I conquered gettting enough sleep they blamed me for they put the blame on me not going to bed at the right time. They didn't react to how I felt until it started affecting how they felt, when I was so lost in this world and hated myself along with everyone else I made the worst choices by stealing alcohol and plenty of other bad routines. The therapist and pychologist they got for me didn't do anything to help me, one told me to think about what I do before I do it, the other diagnosed me with depression and put me on sonata I think that's what it was called, the pills didn't work and for about a two year period I was on cycle of taking these pills and switching them every few months. Around the time I was nearly sent away, I had a sleep study and was told I wake up from sleep apnea 8 times every 2 minutes. He said I wasn't getting any deep sleep and it was growing everything off with me. this led to me eventually getting surgery getting rid of my tonsils it corrected the problem halfway, and then was given the machine to cometely fix the problem. Now I am using the machine on and off, have seen some improvement with myself. Was wondering who else out there felt this same altered mind view on life as I did? Also how many times do you have to wear the machine for you to start really noticing a difference in the well being and way you feel? Thanks and best wishes to everyone going through such hard times!

Comment by Michelle Sanders on July 23, 2009 at 10:16pm

My psychiatrist was the one that referred me to have a sleep study. I've been taking antidepressants since I was 16. It wasn't until I moved 2 years ago that I found a really good psychiatrist. I went in one day so sleepy I nearly dozed off in his office! I told him I was really tired ALL the time. I didn't feel depressed, just tired. There are really good "shrinks" out there...but they are just not educated enough about sleep apnea.

Comment by sandman on June 16, 2009 at 1:57am

After having read the blogs above, I have to realize that I'm in the thick of it, sleep apnea, at the moment, I have all of the symptoms including depression, anxiety and dreams of drowning. I have been here before, six years ago, have had two surgeries which provided some relief and have been unable to use a CPAP. My anxious thoughts about my life work and the failure of a practice that I love, have only exacerbated my health issues. I live alone and am proceeding cautiously with my medical choices. Jaw surgery seems more of a risk than a sollution, but I feel like I am running out of options. Anti-depressants have not worked. I have my fifth sleep study this week and hope to determine a least a path to some relief. Does anyone have advice as to how to get started on a CPAP without waking by suffocation. I just can't breath against the pressure, no matter how low the setting.

Comment by sheila Mannix on May 30, 2009 at 5:27pm

Bless your husband, you are so very fortunate to have a husband to stand behind you in all of this. I lost the love of my life because of all of this, we were together for 25 years, so this adds to the anxiety, and little sleep for 45 years. Yep, I also cannot process so many daily living things because of the long term sleep deprivation. I struggle to learn new things, read the news, creativity, driving, speaking with clarity. It is suffocating me as well throughout every day. I do so understand. I had a sleep study several years ago and was only a 6 out of 10 level, but I know in reality I am much more than that as I identify with all you say. I go in for another study in a week. This anxiety and depression for years is taking its toll in every way, but I do know it is from lack of sleep since age 12, when we all need it the most. Thanks for sharing.

Comment by Jeannie Christmas Smith on May 28, 2009 at 12:07am

All these stories are very encouraging and give much comfort to me, but everyone seems to have, or is, using the CPAP. As I said before I'm unable to use the CPAP. Has anyone had to resort to surgery andthe same, or similar life changing experiences? If so, please answer. Thanks so much, Jeannie

Comment by Melinda Hertel on April 20, 2009 at 7:10pm

I have to say that my experience has been more like Patrick's. Once I started CPAP and felt better, I tried stopping my antidepressant. Unfortunately, I had to go back on it. I think that physicians, especially psychiatrists, would do better to look into the possible causes for the depression instead of just prescribing drugs. Although I have to stay on the antidepressant, it would have been nice to be evaluated for sleep apnea too, since the CPAP has helped me sleep, which in turn helps the depression. Also, physicians need to consider sleep apnea for every patient who complains of chronic fatigue and depression. I don't fit the profile for sleep apnea--I'm not obese, my neck is thin, I am a female, etc. The only reason I was tested for sleep apnea is because I worked for a sleep specialist. And even then it took five years of working for him before I was tested and diagnosed!

Comment by Banyon on March 18, 2009 at 1:04pm

Sally,

You sound a little bit like me. When I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, I was thrilled!

I was thrilled because I knew there was a treatment that could give me my life back.

Good luck,

Comment by Sally on March 18, 2009 at 12:22pm

I'm so glad I found this site, I'm newly diagnosed and dont have a machine yet but am looking forward to it. I've had 2 sleep studies, one without CPAP and last nite, one with. Both times I was very uncomfortable and didnt sleep well but I'm anxious to get set up at home. I too have all the problems described by so many here, depression, tiredness etc etc. I'm SO praying that this will help, I'm 62 and would like to really enjoy the rest of my life.

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