Be A GOOD MUSLIM

Understanding Mental Health in Islam

What You Need to Know about Anxiety and Depression In Islam

You want it to be over. But you can’t summon the energy to get up and put an end to it. You know you are the only one who can change how you are feeling right now. But you just want to wallow in self-loathe and self-pity, because those are the only feelings that come easy to you. And hate. You are left with not an ounce of love towards anyone, only hate. Even for the ones you once loved. Nobody understands you. They think you are “Sad”. Hah. Your dark thoughts won’t let you smile, sleep or live. You want to run away, but where? A murky cloud looms over you like the devil’s captor. And you ask yourself everyday,  what’s the point of living? Yet again, you don’t have the strength to end it. You know there’s only one way to go. Steeper into the pit of darkness. Or… Is there a way back?

In this article I will talk about:

What is depression and anxiety?

What do the stats have to say?

Is there any room for anxiety and depression in Islam?

Different aspects and causes of anxiety and depression.

What are their deletrious effects, especially for a Muslim? And Why you need to learn how to walk out of these mental health conditions!

When we talk about depression, we need to address anxiety as well. They are two sides of the same coin. They go together like bread and butter. Like jam and jelly? (Not-such-a-good example)

How many of you have felt anxious before an interview, debate, presentation or a public gathering? I’m pretty sure almost all.

You are nervous, restless or tense, with an increased heart rate, breathing rapidly (hyperventilation), sweating, trembling, feeling weak or tired,  have trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry, trouble sleeping, gastrointestinal (GI) problems, and have difficulty controlling worry etc.. 

Trust me, It’s fine. Feeling like that every once in a while. It’s part of the fight-or-flight reponse in us humans.

Now imagine someone feeling like that on a regular basis for a month or more. That’s not fine. I believe these mental health conditions are synonymous to slow-poisoning.  

Ibn Ḥazm (d. 456 AH), the famous Andalusian scholar of Islām said, “I searched for a common goal amongst humankind, to which all would agree to strive for excellence. I have not found anything other than the vanquishing of anxiety [hamm].”

The interestingly sad reality of today is.. although medicine has significantly advanced and the monster of science has grown many more limbs, the incidence of anxiety and depression is increasing at an alarming rate! And the Muslim Ummah is not unharmed. This black-hole is consuming young Muslims as well.

Let’s see what the stats have to say…

GLOBAL STATISTICS OF ANXIETY & DEPRESSION
322 MILLION
264 MILLION
people in the world are living people in the world are living
with
DEPRESSION
with
ANXIETY
5.1% FEMALE
4.6 % FEMALE
3.6% MALE
2.6% MALE
20%
OF YOUTH AGES 13-18 LIVE A WITH
MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION.
SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE
90%
OF DEATH GLOBALLY IN
15-29-YEAR-OLDS.
of those who died by suicide had an underlying MENTAL ILLNESS
REFERENCES; Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: National Institute of Mental Health.

Is there any room for anxiety or depression in Islam?

Before I answer that question, let me give you a brief overview of the different causes of anxiety and depression.