Introduction:Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders, and is characterized by recurrent collapse of the upper airway during sleep caused suddenly, with a subsequent decrease in blood oxygen's saturation and has repercussions in the patient's general condition.Aim: To describe the characteristics of this association according to the available medical evidence.Report: The mechanisms of association of sleep apnea with psychiatric disorders are not well defined.However the coexistence of depressive symptoms with this condition has been documented and refractoriness in the treatment of psychiatric disorders when there is comorbidity.Although there is more evidence linking psychiatric disorders with obstructive sleep apnea, there is some evidence linking depressive disorders and anxiety symptoms, comorbid sleep apnea, which alerts the active search for both conditions in patients one of the diagnoses.Conclusions: Physicians should suspect obstructive sleep apnea in patients with refractory depression mainly chronic snoring, short and wide neck, a high body mass index and excessive daytime sleepiness.