Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health disorder caused by experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. One study found that nearly 60 percent of veterans who suffered from combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder also suffered from obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common secondary diagnosis for veterans already receiving benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder. This may be because veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder experience chronic stress, have trouble relaxing, and fail to get a restful night’s sleep. These are all risk factors for developing sleep apnea.
Treating sleep apnea may have positive benefits for managing post-traumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms.