#underdiagnosis

#underdiagnosis

While "Blue Monday" briefly puts low mood in the spotlight each January, clinicians warn that February is when seasonal depression often hits hardest. That's when daylight deprivation accumulates and motivation dips further. New research suggests the burden is felt unevenly, particularly among women. A recent study highlighted that nearly 45% of women experience symptoms consistent with SAD as opposed to only 28% of men. While women are more frequently affected and report more severe symptoms, the research also makes clear that men are suffering too - it is just much less diagnosed, or more often missed.

Studies suggest nearly 60 percent of people with OSA experience some degree of cognitive impairment, including difficulties with attention, working memory, and episodic memory. Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are also more common. Over time, untreated sleep apnea has been linked to declines in concentration, executive function, and long-term memory. So what's actually happening inside the brain while someone with undiagnosed sleep apnea sleeps?