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.
Increased Mortality. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who suffer from chronic, untreated depression may die up to 25 years earlier than the average lifespan. This is mainly due to chemical changes in the brain, long-term effects on the body due to these chemical changes, and substance abuse. Additionally, depression often causes thoughts or attempts of suicide.