Dr. Hani Al-Abdali, Consultant and Head of the Department of Neurology at King Saud Medical City Hospital, warned against the dangers of neglecting sleep disorders and insomnia or resorting to the use of sleeping medications and melatonin supplements without medical supervision, stressing that misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment may lead to health complications and further complicate the problem.

Al-Abdali explained that sleep disorders require consultation with a specialist in sleep medicine, a neurologist, or a psychiatrist depending on the case, noting that delayed diagnosis or consulting non-specialists may deprive the patient of proper treatment and lead to worsening of the disorders.

Dr. Hani Al-Abdali, Consultant and Head of the Department of Neurology at King Saud Medical City Hospital

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Therapeutic Prescriptions

Al-Abdali pointed out that he has observed cases that received prescriptions containing multiple psychiatric medications at high doses from the start, which contradicts proper medical practices that rely on gradual treatment based on assessment and response, stressing that prescribing such medications must follow precise medical standards and under continuous follow-up.

He explained that one of the most common mistakes is the widespread random use of the sleep hormone 'melatonin,' as some patients start with low doses and then gradually increase them until they reach high doses without consulting a doctor, which may lead to dependence on it and inability to sleep without it, and the situation may escalate to the need for other sleeping medications.

Treatment Options

Al-Abdali stressed that all sleeping medications, including melatonin, are not means that can be used according to personal preference, but rather treatment options that must be prescribed based on an accurate diagnosis and under direct medical supervision, while working to treat the underlying causes of insomnia and sleep disorders instead of relying solely on medication.

He pointed out that he has seen cases that continued using strong sleeping medications for many years without regular medical follow-up, which may expose patients to health complications and underscores the importance of periodic review with a specialist to reassess the treatment plan and ensure safe use of medications.