A mental health expert, Samuel Junaidu, has warned Nigerians suffering from chronic insomnia against self-medication, saying prolonged reliance on sleeping drugs could lead to dependence and other complications. Junaidu, a psychiatric expert at Karu General Hospital, Abuja, gave the warning on Thursday, September 10, in an interview with NAN.
He said persistent difficulty falling asleep or returning to sleep could be linked to underlying conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma or other physical and mental health problems. He advised people experiencing chronic insomnia to seek professional assessment rather than treating the condition without medical guidance.
Junaidu said untreated insomnia could affect concentration, energy, mood and productivity, while also straining relationships through tiredness and irritability. He recommended healthy sleep habits, including reducing screen time at night, limiting caffeine from the afternoon, avoiding prolonged daytime naps, exercising regularly and keeping the bedroom dark and quiet.
The expert urged people with persistent sleep difficulties to visit a health facility or consult qualified mental health professionals to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. He stressed that proper diagnosis was essential to prevent unnecessary dependence on medication and support effective recovery.
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