So this article will be in two parts. The first
which I will be treating now will dwell on
people’s perspectives. The one to come next will
be Health Specialists’ Perspective.


PART A
Self-medication has cut so many promising lives
short. That has not discouraged people from
practicing it. The big question is WHY?

To begin with, what is self medication? To a
layman’s understanding, it is when you self-
diagnose yourself and use drugs on your own will
with a purpose without consulting any specialist.
In the practical sense, it means, you get sick,
rather than visit a health specialist so that you
can be diagnosed and necessary drug be
prescribed to you, you stay home and do all
processes all by yourself.

So many factors make people to imbibe in self-
medication. I took my time to ask lots of people
to tell me their opinion on self-medication, and
the reason why they engage in it rather than visit
a pharmacist.

“Self medication is good and we all practice it.
You have a slight headache and rush to the
hospital?? Why? What you can just take
Paracetamol for and you will be perfectly okay?
Do you know that there are some headaches that
you do not even need to visit hospital for? All
you need is too rest and you will be perfectly
fine. But you know, Pharmacists and doctors will
tell you self-medication is bad. You know the
reason? If everyone starts engaging in self-
prescription, they (health specialists) will be out
of business.”

“Self medication is good only when you are
familiar with the symptom(s) of the ailment you
have, if you are not familiar with it, my brother,
run to Hospital oooo”.
I think I quite buy the idea. If you are familiar
with the symptoms, treat yourself, otherwise,
rush to a hospital.

Wait a sec. Some ailments do have the same
symptom. What do you do in this case? For
example, Headache is a sign of many ailments.
Oh, I’m no more buying that idea, it’s wicked.
“Sometimes, even Doctors get it wrong. It is
always helpful to make your own personal
research, and sometimes, challenge their
(specialists) knowledge in a respective manner.
When you have certain symptoms it’s always
helpful to Google it before going in to see the
Doc. That way, you have a little bit of information
when he is discussing with you or if the doctor
diagnoses certain illness, you should make your
own personal research too. Check again with the
pharmacist any medication to be sure you have
the right need for what is diagnosed.” I have to
cut in here. I’m totally buying this idea and it’s
final. Continuation “ I took one of the kids once
to see Doc and their prescription was for hears
instead of mouth, it was only because i asked at
Pharmacy that I went back an she corrected her
mistake.”


So, that’s it. Different strokes for different folks.
And people learn more from experience. I believe
people have their reasons for doing whatever
they do. The last opinion above stresses that self
medication/diagnose is bad, but that you
shouldn't trust the specialist 100% as you have
your own assignment to do as well.
People also have various kinds of allergies, you
have to read or check with the doc or
pharmacist the medicine does not consist those
things you're allergic to, don't assume they know
you know yourself better than anyone else.
And to the Nigerian factor, I feel peoples self
medicate because it takes time to book an
appointment with your Doctor. It takes a lot of of
time to see a Doctor here unlike in developed
countries.


So, what is your opinion on Self Medication?
Remember the other part is coming, from
Specialists’ perspective.
www.juvenilespot..com/2015/04/self-medication-peoples-perspective.html

Read more on the reasons for the practices of self medication from here http://www.edumacro.com/self-medication-substance-abuse/