With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.

Sleep is important, but the quality and amount of sleep are even more important. We know that our sleep directly impacts our health.

You may sleep soundly and go through the various phases of sleep normally. Alternatively, you may snore, act out your dreams, sleepwalk, move your arms and limbs, or even have sleep apnea, a condition in which one temporarily stops breathing because the airway is blocked. If you are not consistently getting a quality night's sleep, then your depression cannot be fully treated.

Sleep is the time when our brain and body "recharge" for the next day. This affects our mood, energy level, concentration and overall functioning. Even if you sleep for say six hours every night and it is quality sleep, is that really an adequate amount? Some people do great on six hours long-term, while others may need more. Under periods of stress, you may require more than you normally do.

There are many symptoms that may indicate a sleep disorder. The causes of sleep disorders vary, so discussing with and being evaluated by a qualified provider is important. Some symptoms may include excessive daytime sleepiness. This is different from fatigue or being tired. This can be a symptom of sleep apnea. Other accompanying symptoms may include frequently awakening with morning headaches, sore throat, dry mouth (from mouth breathing), waking up with a choking sensation or not feeling refreshed upon awakening.

One of these symptoms alone does not diagnose sleep apnea. The physician needs to evaluate you as a whole person. Do you have a crowded airway? For instance, is your tongue or uvula large, do you have trouble breathing through your nose, are your tonsils large? Obesity is a risk factor, but not all overweight people have sleep apnea and thin people can get sleep apnea too. This sleep disorder can occur in men and women. Treatment varies as well, depending on the cause. Sometimes people need a breathing machine, called a CPAP. Some people may need their tonsils and adenoids removed.

Some medications and alcohol will cause the muscles in the throat to relax too much which can lead to snoring (like a flag flapping in the wind). Snoring can be disruptive and does not always lead to apnea or cessation of breathing. People can have mini arousals during the night that they do not remember. This can be frustrating as the person may "think" they're sleeping well, when in fact they're not. Increasing one's antidepressant medication will not treat sleep apnea. Bottom line is that poor quality sleep over time can cause and/or worsen one's depression.

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