Management of Compliance Problem Due to Fear of Death While Sleeping and Claustrophobia in a Patient with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

As a sleep disorder obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is considered to be significantly associated with psychosocial problems and affects the quality of life. The most original and effective treatment of OSAS is continuos positive airway pressure treatment. Therefore the compliance of patients to treatment is very important. This case report has been prepared in order to examine the effectiveness that providing awareness of patient with OSAS and providing positive support forencouraging the compliance of the patient to treatment. Our patient with OSAS has some problems about using mask and CPAP and we determined that the patient has fear of death while sleeping and claustrophobia. Psychiatry clinic recommended the use of escitalopram. A detailed information was explained to the patient about CPAP treatment, using of mask, positive effects on symptom control and the meaning of compliance. After the implementation of train and medical treatment; the patient’s anxiety level was reduced and awareness about obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and a high compliance of CPAP treatment were obtained. We provided an awareness of OSAS and positive support to encouraging compliance of patient to treatment by evaluating the psychological state of the patient. In this context, we recommend the planning of comprehensive research in terms of patient training and support to patient.