Sleep Apnea Mood Swings

For a person with sleep apnea, mood swings are common. Mood swings may remain after the sleep apnea is diagnosed; however, the reasons for the mood swings may be different.

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The symptoms of sleep apnea and mood swings seem to go together. Mood swings are usually listed as a key indicator of sleep apnea. Once you start using a CPAP machine or other sleep apnea treatment your apneas will subside; however, you may still be left with mood swings.

A person with undiagnosed sleep apnea usually has trouble getting enough high-quality sleep. The constant awakening with each apnea keeps the person from having uninterrupted sleep cycles and keeps the body from being able to refresh itself during sleep. These two factors frequently leave the person feeling worn out, overwhelmed and experiencing other sleep deprivation symptoms – all of which can result in mood swings.

Common symptoms of sleep deprivation include:

• The inability to cope emotionally with many every day issues
• Feeling depressed or moody
• Having trouble thinking clearly or remembering key facts
• Feeling overwhelmed or irritable
• Difficulty dealing with unexplained situations such as weight gain, daytime sleepiness or an increased number of car accidents

After a person is diagnosed with sleep apnea and has begun treatment, the sleep deprivation symptoms will usually subside. However, in some cases, the mood swings may continue. For example:

• The person may have gone undiagnosed for so long that the mood swings have become a part of their personality. Sleep apnea treatment may not be enough to reverse the personality changes. In these cases, professional counseling may be needed.
• The person can be left with difficult issues to deal with that were created before the sleep apnea treatment began. Dealing with these issues can create depression and mood swings. For example:
  • Weight gain – It is very common for sleep apnea patients to gain significant amounts of weight due to increased eating and reduced exercise before they were diagnosed.
  • Car accidents – A series of severe motor vehicle accidents due to excessive sleepiness can have a major impact on an individual. Auto repair bills, increased insurance and medical bills, finding alternative transportation and the potential need to buy a new car can all contribute to depression and irritability.
  • Medical issues – Sleep apnea patients are at an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart problems. Once the treatment starts, the risk may lessen; however, any pre-treatment damage can cause a lifetime of medical issues and the associated emotions which often come with dealing with a major illness.
  • Job issues – Excessive sleepiness, memory loss and moodiness at work can result in performance warnings or losing the job totally. The need to find a new job can be a difficult time, resulting in drastic mood swings.

A doctor should be consulted if mood swings continue after sleep apnea treatment has started. The person with the mood swings may not be aware of how their mood has, or has not, changed since the sleep apnea treatment was initiated. If possible, a friend or family member should join them at the doctor's office to add additional insight.

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder. The longer a person goes undiagnosed, the greater the chance for mood swings, irritation, hostility and depression. Treatment will reduce the apneas, improve the sleep and give the person an opportunity to better enjoy their life's activities. However, sleep apnea treatment will not cure psychological problems.

Be sure your sleep apnea doctor is aware of any medication you have been prescribed for mood issues. With that information they will be better able to give you the help you need to improve both your sleep apnea and mood issues.

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