There is enough evidence about the fact that sleep apnea can lead to depression and if a depressed patient is treated for sleep disorders, there is a good chance that pain and depression symptoms may recede. However, before we can get into the connection between sleep apnea and depression, it is crucial to understand what sleep apnea really is. Sleep Apnea Symtoms Symptoms such as snoring, complete or partial interruption of breathing during sleep, a drastic drop in levels of oxygen in the blood, sleep fragmentation and feeling sleepy and lethargic during the day on a regular basis are a few tell-tale symptoms of sleep apnea. In fact, sleep apnea is one of the most common sleeping disorders and has also had profound effects in the medical world due to the mortality and morbidity associated with this disorder. Consequences of Sleep Apnea Some of the most common consequences caused by sleep apnea include stroke, congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, myocardial infraction, coronary heart disease, hypertension etc. In fact, sleep apnea can also have several devastating impacts on the mind with problems such as cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric problems. Though sleep apnea and depression are closely related in many cases, many psychologists, psychiatrists and physicians seem to miss the plot. One possible reason for this is that sleep apnea may also appear to be a symptom of preexisting depression. In order to treat a patient suffering from depression due to sleep apnea, it is necessary to first establish this connection between ...

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