Although it is not clear the relationship between the two, but it can be explained by the fact that they are experiencing respiratory problems, his sleep was interrupted or possibly due to a lack of oxygen in the blood during sleep.
Women with sleep disorders, ie, short or stopped breathing briefly during sleep, it was 5.2 times more likely to experience depression than women who do not experience sleep disturbances. While men who experience sleep disorders were 2.4 times more likely to experience depression than men who do not. It is the result of research from scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In that study, the volunteers were also experiencing other respiratory disorders during sleep are also at high risk of depression. But the scientists found no tendency for an increased risk of depression in those who snore.
"Grunting, panting or breathing stops during sleep is associated with almost all of the symptoms of depression, including feelings of hopelessness and feeling like a failure," said researcher Anne Wheaton, an epidemiologist at the CDC said in a March 30, 2012 edition LiveScience.
According to the researchers, both depression and breathing problems during sleep is something normal and both often goes undiagnosed. They add, screening for people who have the disorder will be useful to help better treatment.
The researchers included other factors that may affect the results of research such as age, gender and weight. According to scientists, the results are in accordance with the results of other studies. The results were published in the April 2012 issue of the journal Sleep.
The study found a correlation, but not a causal link. However, the researchers write evidence from other studies showing that breathing problems during sleep contribute to the development of depression.
For example, a previous study showed the relationship between the severity of breathing problems during sleep by a strange development of depression in later life. Other studies show that those who undergo treatment for sleep disorders improved their depression.
"Mental health professionals often ask about sleep problems like sleep is not refreshing and insomnia, but tend not to realize that (interruption of breathing during sleep) may have an impact on the mental health of their patients," the researchers said in conclusion.
