How Poor Sleep Affects Mental Health: What You Need to Know

We all know what it feels like to have a bad night’s sleep — groggy mornings, trouble focusing, and a short fuse. But if poor sleep becomes chronic, especially due to a condition like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it can quietly begin to affect your mental health in ways that go far beyond tiredness.

OSA occurs when the muscles in the throat relax during sleep, blocking airflow and causing breathing to repeatedly stop and start throughout the night. These pauses — sometimes dozens per hour — jolt the brain awake just enough to resume breathing, often without you remembering. Over time, these repeated interruptions prevent you from reaching the deep, restorative sleep your brain needs to function at its best.¹

The impact of sleep apnea on mental health is significant. Research shows that people with sleep apnea are nearly four times more likely to experience anxiety, and have close to three times the risk of severe psychological distress—even when other health factors are taken into account.² This means OSA doesn’t just affect your physical health; it can also influence your thoughts, emotions, and overall mental wellbeing. Many people with untreated OSA report issues like mood swings, irritability, trouble concentrating, and difficulty managing everyday stress.³

Why does this happen? Scientists believe it’s due to two key processes: sleep fragmentation and intermittent hypoxia.¹ Every time sleep is disrupted, your body activates the stress response. Over time, this constant low-level activation can lead to changes in brain chemistry, increased inflammation, and a heightened fight-or-flight state. Meanwhile, intermittent hypoxia — the repeated drops in oxygen levels caused by breathing interruptions — has been shown to damage brain structures involved in emotional regulation and memory.¹

The good news? OSA has effective treatment. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) remains the gold standard treatment for OSA.⁴ The bedside device works by keeping your airway open during sleep, allowing your brain and body to rest, recover, and function more clearly, eliminating OSA symptoms.

If you’re feeling mentally flat, emotionally on edge, or just can’t seem to feel rested — especially if you snore or feel tired during the day — it’s worth speaking with your doctor. An at-home sleep study might uncover what’s really going on and getting treatment could be a turning point for your mental health.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time.

If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

1. “The Sleeping Giant: How Sleep Apnea Hurts Mental Health.” Psychology Today, 2024, www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/balanced/202412/the-sleeping-giant-how-sleep-apnea-hurts-mental-health.
2. Kaufmann, Christopher N., et al. “Sleep Apnea, Psychopathology, and Mental Health Care.” Sleep Health, vol. 3, no. 4, Aug. 2017, pp. 244–249, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5560422/, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2017.04.003.
3. Sforza, Emilia, et al. “Mood Disorders in Healthy Elderly with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Gender Effect.” Sleep Medicine, vol. 19, Mar. 2016, pp. 57–62, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2015.11.007.
4. Andrade, Rafaela G. S., et al. “Nasal vs Oronasal CPAP for OSA Treatment: A Meta-Analysis.” Chest, vol. 153, no. 3, 1 Mar. 2018, pp. 665–674, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012369217332269, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2017.10.044.