This in an interesting article that explores the connection between treatment resistant depression and sleep apnea. The author begins the article by stating that depression is the “leading cause of disability worldwide.” Powerful!

It is instructive in that among a small sample of patients with treatment resistant depression, 14% had obstructive sleep apnea. Further, unlike the usual demographics, overweight women with daytime sleepiness, the majority were overweight men without the usual symptom complaints.

Here is an excerpt:

New research has explored the link between sleep apnea and depression and suggests that the former may be one reason that depression treatments fail. Treating sleep apnea with a CPAP machine may reduce the symptoms of depresson.

 

Around 20–30% of people with depression and other mood disorders do not get the help they need from existing therapies.

 

Depression is the “leading cause of disability worldwide.”

 

For this reason, coming up with effective therapies is paramount. New research points to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a potential culprit for treatment resistant depression and suggests that screening for and treating the sleep condition may alleviate symptoms of depression.

Source: What is the link between sleep apnea and depression?