Two of the most popular dietary supplements used for insomnia are: 1  Melatonin, a hormone produced by the brain. You can also buy it as a supplement. 2  Valerian, an herbal sleep remedy. Valerian appears to be safe, and it may improve sleep when taken for a week or two.
The average spell of clinical depression, if left entirely untreated, will last around 8 months. During a depression, the sufferer will normally be convinced that it will never go away, but this is a classic feature of the way depression makes us think.
Symptoms of depression may last for 2 weeks or more, occurring nearly every day, and may include: 1  A depressed mood most of the day (feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or on the verge of tears) 2  Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed. 3  Weight loss (even when not on a diet) or experiencing weight gain.