Depression worse after CPAP ?
Q.I have been using a CPAP for about 4 months.. I have noticed that since I started using it, although I have more energy overall, my depression seems to be getting worse.. I think I read somewhere that lack of sleep may actually help to mitigate the symptoms of depression... any thoughts on this?
A.When I first began treatment for major depression and whenever I had a depressive episode, and would meet with my psychiatrist, he always started the session with, "What has your sleep pattern been, how has your cognition been, etc.? He also specifically stated that to avoid depression one must have adequate quality sleep. My internist once made an identical statement. From my experience, the depression and cognitive deficits that come about from lack of sleep can't be treated with psychotherapy; however, they can be treated with meds. If your are depressed and know why (lost your job, lost a loved one, etc. etc.), a combo of therapy and meds could make a big difference in your life. If you need meds, try to find a psychopharmacologist (psychiatrist who specializes in treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders with meds). I know you have been on this NG longer than I have. I know because I have been envious of your dieting success. But that doesn't keep me from taking a little exception to what you have said here. You may be correct with respect to mild, everyday blues, depression; however, I'd have to see the clinical study you refer to (link or other reference?) before accepting the statement. Depression is a matter of reduced neurotransmitters. Herbs, such as St. John's Wort and/or exercise increase the appropriate neurotransmitter. But to treat clinical (major) depression, it takes one or more prescription drugs to generate enough of the appropriate neurotransmitters to make a difference. Do you have a rough idea of what year you read this? It may be that you read it in mid-1980s. When I developed major depression in 1985, my (unsuccessful) treatment for two years was composed of 3 or 4 different pairs of drugs that didn't do anything for the depression, but sure did have unlivable side effects. However, since that time there have been continuous improvements in anti-depressants, which IMO have put them above herbs and exercise.
Other Questions :
Define Postpartum Depression. Pregnancy, abortion, birth and depression ?
What do we know about depression in women in 1996? Everybody feels depressed at some time. But the feeling of depression is not the same thing as the illness of clinical depression. According to the DSM-IV,[1] to be diagnosed with a major depre...
What's the deal with that Goldberg Depression Scale?
What's the deal with that Goldberg Depression Scale from the FAQ? (Now if only I knew which FAQ that was. I can't find it any more, now that I'm referring to it. Never fails!) There are 18 questions you can answer on a scale from 0 to 5. I...
Antidepressants in pregnancy and breastfeeding ?
Can anyone point me to any good web resources on antidepressant use in pregnancy (and, while I'm at it, while breastfeeding)? (Just in case anyone was wondering, I'm asking professionally and not personally...)Neither of those directly cover pre...
Define Chronic Depression. Define "Rescue" for me.. I'm from mars.. ?
There's one on our local Boxer rescue site right now "might be mix"... ah, you think? Owners do it too though, I had a new client last week and she kept me on the phone for 20 minutes during our first conversation trying to define her "mix"...
Depression and Chronic Fatigue ?
I have been treated for depression for several years with Prozac and Xanax. It has mostly been successful, but I get relapses. Most commonly, sleepiness. Xanax is not the problem because I'm used to it as I've taken it so long. This time, I...