Sleep apnea can impact nearly every aspect of life, from mood and focus to physical well-being and mental health. Fortunately, support from a psychiatrist can be helpful in managing the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges associated with sleep apnea. With the right care strategies, it is entirely possible to live (and sleep) well with this condition.
Sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep, causing breathing to pause repeatedly throughout the night. For most patients, this leads to loud snoring, gasping for air, and poor-quality sleep. These interruptions prevent the body from entering deep, restorative stages of rest known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Even if the patient does not fully wake up, a lack of REM sleep can negatively impact memory, emotional regulation, and physical health over time.
That said, patients do not need to wait for the long-term effects of sleep apnea and sleep deprivation to set in before getting help. Immediate symptoms like daytime sleepiness, irritability, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating are more than enough reasons to seek sleep apnea treatment. A psychiatrist can help patients understand the condition's full impact on their lives and manage its symptoms.
Managing sleep apnea involves more than just using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or making physical health changes. A psychiatrist can offer valuable tools to support behavioral adjustments, improve emotional regulation, and reduce the psychological toll of chronic sleep disruption. To start, here are three tips a psychiatrist typically recommends for living with sleep apnea:
Practicing better sleep hygiene can be as simple as limiting screen time in the evening and creating a calming environment that supports relaxation. Additionally, reading, listening to soothing music, or practicing relaxation techniques can reduce mental stimulation and make it easier to fall asleep. When paired with psychiatric care and a physician’s treatment plan for sleep apnea, better sleep hygiene can support deeper, more restful sleep.
Prescription medications can often be helpful in managing the symptoms of sleep apnea. While medication does not treat airway obstruction directly, it can address related issues such as anxiety, depression, or excessive daytime sleepiness.
A psychiatrist may recommend medication to stabilize mood, reduce intrusive thoughts, or assist with falling asleep and staying asleep. In patients who struggle with CPAP compliance due to anxiety or claustrophobia, short-term pharmaceutical support can make the transition easier. Keep in mind that medication is merely part of a broader treatment plan and is monitored closely to avoid side effects or interactions with other approaches.
Sleep apnea often coexists with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or trauma-related disorders, which can worsen symptoms by increasing nighttime restlessness and contributing to insomnia. Poor sleep, in turn, may intensify emotional instability and lower resilience to daily stress. A psychiatrist can evaluate these underlying issues and create a treatment plan that may include prescription medication, talk therapy, behavioral interventions, or support groups. Treating mental health symptoms also enhances the effectiveness of physical treatments like CPAP therapy or oral appliances.
Sleep apnea is a manageable condition when treated by the right care team. Working in conjunction with other medical specialists, a psychiatrist can help patients build sustainable habits, manage coexisting mental health concerns, and reduce the emotional burden of living with chronic sleep disruption. Contact Hope TMS and Neuropsychiatric Center for personalized strategies and ongoing support in improving sleep quality.
Request an appointment here: https://www.hopetmsofny.com or call Hope TMS and Neuropsychiatric Center at (646) 578-8152 for an appointment in our Downey office.
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