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
- Start at a local internal medicine or family medicine clinic.
- If needed you are referred for a sleep study at a specialist hospital.
- Psychiatry — when insomnia comes with depression or anxiety. See mental-health-help.
- ENT — where snoring or apnoea is suspected.
- 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