CPAP therapy—continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy—is meant to help individuals who require further support while sleeping with issues like sleep apnea and more. While there are beneficial and noticeable physical effects, many people don’t know about the psychological impact of CPAP therapy—before, during, and after starting this treatment. Fortunately, we’ve done some research to discover what patients who engage in CPAP therapy can expect.
In this article, you’ll learn about the initial challenges people face when they begin to use this therapy and what happens with continued use. We’ll also discuss some of the hurdles associated with CPAP therapy, including anxiety and depression, and how you can cope with these conditions. Let’s first explore the initial issues you may have to overcome psychologically when you use CPAP therapy.
What to Expect When You First Start CPAP Therapy
If you’re first starting CPAP therapy, it can be daunting, but many studies have shown that you may be facing similar hurdles as compared to others. One of the most common barriers to adherence to the use of CPAP therapy is the fact that the machine can be irritating to the skin or that you may feel claustrophobic. For those with depression, you may face similar difficulties.
Patients who struggle with depression may be less likely to regularly engage in using their CPAP therapy, which can be an issue for their health and even for their depressive symptoms. Psychologically, you may feel like CPAP therapy is not for you and that it is not comfortable, or it may even be more of a chore to adapt to if you struggle with depression and its accompanying symptoms. However, even with these initial challenges, there are so many excellent benefits that can come from using CPAP therapy.
The Psychological Benefits of Using CPAP Therapy Consistently
As surprising as it may be, CPAP therapy is actually associated with numerous psychological benefits that can add further value to your life. Aside from the obvious physical benefits to your health as well as alleviating sleep challenges, CPAP therapy can help to alleviate depressive moods and anxiety, as well as sleepiness that you might feel due to issues like sleep apnea (Source: European Clinical Respiratory Journal).
Furthermore, aside from helping with limiting depression and anxiety, CPAP therapy can also help with your cognition. One of the downsides of sleepiness is impaired cognitive performance, but CPAP therapy can alleviate this and even encourage better mental performance. In some studies, it has even been shown to lower the risk of dementia because of the consistent airflow that helps the body stay healthy.
Evidently, CPAP therapy may be prescribed to help with sleep apnea and other health conditions, but it has a number of benefits that are important for your overall health. In order to experience these benefits, however, you must overcome the barriers that you face initially, which will be explored next.
How to Overcome CPAP Therapy Adherence Challenges
It’s true—CPAP therapy can be uncomfortable, irritate your skin, or even feel wrong at first, especially if it is your first time using this treatment. Even then, with the physical and psychological benefits that we have discussed, you can overcome these barriers to ensure you take advantage of this opportunity to improve your health, sleep, and more. Here are some recommendations for you to begin adhering to CPAP therapy with ease:
- Wear the Right Size Mask: Unfortunately, one of the common issues people face that makes CPAP therapy uncomfortable for them is the wrong size mask. Make sure you use a mask that correctly fits your face and is not too big or too snug. It should be comfortable and fully cover your face and nose.
- Practice Wearing It: If sleeping with it is a challenge, try wearing it during the day. This can undoubtedly help you become more comfortable and even encourage your body to adjust to this new and required CPAP therapy.
- Manage Machine Noise: Many people cannot sleep at night because ambient noise tends to wake them up, especially with older CPAP models. Make sure that your CPAP machine is not sitting next to you, and if you still struggle with the noise factor, try using white noise to help you get to bed with ease.
Mitigating Psychological Concerns While Using CPAP Therapy
Even though CPAP therapy tends to provide a number of psychological benefits, there may still be a chance that you struggle with conditions like depression and anxiety while using this treatment option for sleep apnea. One of the best ways to help mitigate the psychological challenges you might encounter is to seek support through mental health resources.
While it might not be the first thing you think of, seeking support—such as counseling or therapy—can help you uncover the reasons why you might be depressed or anxious. As it turns out, sleep apnea patients are among the most likely individuals to have these concerns, among other health conditions that impact their health (Source: PubMed).
If you find yourself struggling, even despite the benefits that we have explored, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Additionally, you can also engage in self-care more regularly to help you overcome anxiety or depressive symptoms.
Enjoy Better Sleep and Mental Health with CPAP Therapy
Beginning any transition to a new treatment or therapy option can be difficult, especially for those who must use CPAP machines. Even with the initial issues you might face, there are many benefits that can aid your mental health and improve your life. If you find yourself struggling with adhering to using your CPAP regularly or even encounter mental health problems, don’t be afraid to ask for help and ease your way into your new routine.
For more information about how to encourage better sleep health, visit our website and read articles that will help you create an ideal sleep routine.
