[Difficult patients in the sleep laboratory--nCPAP therapy in psychiatric patients with sleep apnea disorders].

160 unselected patients under suspicion of sleep apnea were examined polysomnographically, 26 patients (16%) had relevant psychic disorders, which were classified according to ICD-10 by the psychiatric consultant. Affective-depressive disorders (n = 12) and neurotic disorders (n = 11) were diagnosed. Depression in 3 patients was primarily diagnosed in the sleep laboratory. A proper anamnesis can supply the doctor with helpful hints for psychic disorders. These disorders can complicate or prevent the diagnosis and therapy in the sleep laboratory.