Therese are degrees of chronic pain. In its acute form painkillers are helpful. In its mild form there is always danger of suppressing a useful signal. The signal gives clues how small changes affect it allowing one eventually to find a remedy that works.

Similar with depression. Unless it is severe, it gives a hint to try to change something. Those changes can be really small, like getting enough sleep, or going to sea once in a while, or talking to an old buddy, or joining some volunteer activity. The key is to try and recognize the feedback that is impossible under antidepressants.