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.
Other types of depression include: 1  Dysthymia. This is a type of minor but chronic depression that lasts two years or longer. 2  Postpartum depression. This form of depression affects about 10 to 15 percent of women shortly after childbirth. 3  Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).