Sleep problems

Don't dismiss it as "I just don't need much sleep". Daytime accidents begin with night-time sleep.

See a doctor if

• Trouble falling asleep or frequent waking persists for weeks.
• Sleep leaves you unrefreshed and severely drowsy in the day.
• You snore heavily and have been told you stop breathing — possible sleep apnoea.
• Restless, crawling sensations in the legs stop you sleeping.
• Nightmares or night terrors prevent sleep — this can be linked to mental health. See mental-health-welfare.
• You have nodded off while driving or working. Extremely dangerous.

Where to go

1. Start at a local internal medicine or family medicine clinic.
2. If needed you are referred for a sleep study at a specialist hospital.
3. Psychiatry — when insomnia comes with depression or anxiety. See mental-health-help.
4. ENT — where snoring or apnoea is suspected.
5. Public health centres and mental health welfare centres — free counselling.

What you can try

• Sleep and wake at consistent times, without big changes on days off.
• Reduce screen time before bed.
• Avoid caffeine in the afternoon — coffee, energy drinks and tea alike.
• Don't use alcohol to fall asleep. You may drop off, but sleep quality worsens. See alcohol-support.
• Get daylight and move during the day. See exercise-health.
• Shift and night workers need specific management. See night-shift-health.

Where to go

• Your local internal or family medicine clinic
• 1577-0199 mental health helpline (24 hours)
• Local mental health welfare centre
• 1339 Korea Disease Control Agency
• 1345 interpretation support

Questions people ask

Can I take sleeping pills? Never take someone else's medication without a prescription. There is a risk of dependence and of falls. Get seen and prescribed properly. See medicine-safety.

I think it's the night shifts. Sleep problems from shift work are common. Alongside treatment, discuss adjusting your schedule. See night-shift-health and workplace-health.

I have no insurance and worry about the cost. Counselling at health centres and mental health centres is generally free. Check medical cost support too. See medical-fee-support.

I drink because I can't sleep. That easily becomes dependence. Better to seek advice now. See addiction-center.

Take care

Never drive or operate machinery while drowsy. Sleepiness impairs judgement to a degree comparable with alcohol. If you've been told you stop breathing in your sleep, get it checked — left alone it can lead to heart and blood pressure problems.

Related

night-shift-health · mental-health-welfare · medicine-safety · alcohol-support · chronic-disease

Source

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, National Health Information Portal health.kdca.go.kr / As of 2026-08