We have to admit that our teenage years are a difficult stage in our lives. During that time, we are often tested and later realize that test had a great impact on us today. Sometimes we look at an individual and the first thing that comes to our mind if they are smiling and enjoying themselves is, "I wish I could live that person’s life, they seem so happy, free from problems and hardships."
The truth is that nobody has a life free from hardships. It is easy to hide what we have been through and to keep the pain that continually adds up inside without opening up and discussing the problem. One of the most important things I have learned is constantly keeping things to yourself can lead to a more severe anxiety and depression.
Depression has become a very serious and common illness among teenagers in today's society. We face certain temptations and are pressured to get no less than an A+ in school. From personal experience, I have to admit that depression is very hard to overcome and recover from. You cannot simply wake up one morning, go to a therapist for a 45 minute session, and feel happy and cheerful again. Recovering from depression, anxiety and panic attacks takes a while, for some people it may take weeks, and for others it may take months or even years depending on how hard they are willing to work with the therapist, psychiatrist, and anti depressants.
The hardest part to getting through depression is not knowing who to turn to for help. It becomes very hard for us to trust people and take advice because we have isolated ourselves completely from the people we love. It becomes extremely hard to control our emotions as well. The first step is to discuss your problem with the parent you feel most comfortable with. Letting out your emotions is one way of reducing depression because emotions will eventually control you if you let them build up.
While I was attending my regular session with my therapist in Ann Arbor, Michigan one day, she said to me, "one of my other patients describes depression as a beast that has taken over you."
After my recovery, I realized that was exactly what I felt. The reason I had realized that afterwards was because while experiencing depression, it becomes almost impossible to explain your feelings. You feel hopeless and when the therapist asks questions, you have this constant thought of, "what is the point in discussing this, I'll never feel happy and normal again." That is not true.
Although I have had a history with antidepressants and therapy, and later on ending up in the hospital for an eating disorder, I am completely against them. I have learned from this experience that religion is the ultimate cure for depression. Allah will never leave his servant helpless with a sincere intention of wanting to change and live a faithful and prosperous life. Staying in the hospital for a few days gave me time to reflect on life, its meaning, and my goals. It was at that time when Allah guided me and showed me the right path, without the antidepressants and therapy.
I remember one day I was eating lunch in the dining hall, and I looked around the dining room and saw a young boy, at the age of 9 or 10, sitting alone. My family was in the dining room with me, and I saw that as the young boy's father walked into the room, he ran for his father to hug him as if he hadn't seen him in months. After lunch my family went home, and I later found out that this young boy had a disease, which I do not want to mention the name of, and all he wanted was to spend time with his parents but they are busy with their business. They visit him once a week for a few minutes.
At that moment I asked myself, "why is it that I am so ungrateful to have loving parents who came to spend time with me every single day I was in that hospital?" That is when I remembered the verse in the Holy Qur’an, which tells us that "very few of My servants are grateful."
From this experience, I would just like to say that there is truly nothing worth being depressed over in this world. We need to put our faith in Allah and trust that he will protect us from anything and everything. Let us make the hereafter our main priority and if we focus on that alone, and I can guarantee that depression will not be a problem.
*The purpose of this article is to provide an Islamic perspective on a medical issue and is only intended to be informational. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or psychiatric assistance.
![Sayed Ali Khamenei reciting the Martyrdom of Imam Ali (as) [ENG SUBS]](http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/nSFVAMjmFgY/default.jpg "Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei reciting the Martyrdom of Imam Ali (as) [ENG SUBS]")
Comments
Thank you sister Duaa, this is a topic that is not very well discussed but it is a very widespread problem, almost everyone experiences depression at some point in their lives, especially in teen years (myself included). Your honesty in expressing yourself is exactly what we need. I think we should expand on this and even perhaps set up a group (I do not know of one that exists) that works on helping educate our Brothers and Sisters that are afflicted with this or other mental disorders. Unfortunately, many if our communitiies (especially the older generations) brush off depression as merely a shortcoming of the victim, often not recognizing the gravity of the situation. In fact, a brother in our community in MI commit suicide fairly recently due to his lack of strength in dealng with the beast - a strength which we must provide each other. I'd love to see more of this and would love to help if I can insha'Allah.
Jazakallah Khair
Wasalaam
--Amir Naqvi
AmirN86
I agree a group would be a great idea-it is much needed during this time because of everything that is taking place around the world that has an effect on us, often times leading to depression. I know many people who always say, "If I told you what I have been through, you would not understand my feelings during my depression." So I thought why not discuss my experience, although it's a bit personal, it is beneficial to many (Insh'Allah). Alhamdulilah I had the opportunity to share my solution to the "Beast" and I pray that Allah (swt) allows others to use the same solution, religion.
Beautiful article and I agree with you on the importance of spirituality and the value of a strong supportive family. Not all mental disorders is solely cured by medications. It is a grave injustice to think in this manner. However, it is equally tragic to think that medications have no role in the treatment of mental illness. Also, we often confuse depression with adjustment disorder or even dysthymia in which maybe talk therapy or cognitive behavorial therapy is a better modality. The diagnosis of depression is real and without treatment is deadly. I have seen first hand how antidepressants can and have saved lives. Yes, many people are on antidepressants and the majority of antidepressants are prescribed by non-Psychiatrists (i.e primary care physicians) but for some people this is the best form of treatment and we as a community should be wary of giving each other information that may not be in their best interest. In addition to strong iman, a loving family, a strong, caring community is also essential to mental well being.
Fee Amaniallah
The point I was trying to make is that we need to turn to Allah (swt) before the antidepressants . Yes the antidepressants have saved lives but they can make a believer back away from religion because some of them make us careless towards Islamic duties while on them. And antidepressants are temporary relief, from my experience. They make you feel better for a while, then you either become addicted to them or end up depressed after a while. And what we need is Muslim therapists, they are very necessary...But if someone feels that they cannot turn to Allah (swt) for whatever reason first, then they have no choice but to use antidepressants to get them back on track and risk getting addicted to them otherwise they'll end up considering suicide as the answer...Insh'Allah khair...
It's the way you think, to be specific.. the negativity is what stops you from getting through depression. Here's an example, if someone is going out in this world to prove the existence of God, if they go out with an open heart, don't you think they will eventually find God? Whereas, if they went out searching and telling themselves, "this is a waste of time..." they will DEFINITELY not find what they are looking for. The way you think is very similar to this...if you keep telling yourself, "why waste time by praying and asking dua" then you will find no purpose in your prayers and Duas. You need to seek God's mercy with a sincere heart and most importantly, HOPE that he will answer your Duas and give you a better life. Have a positive outlook on life. Life is not easy, but with difficulty comes ease. Because whenever something happens, in the end it is only Allah (swt) we return to. In your situation, spend time just speaking with Allah (swt), through prayers or just his remembrance...Allah (swt) is the All-Hearing, and I have to admit sometimes things happen that are out of our control and they cause us to be very disappointed and sometimes depressed by just the thought that Allah (swt) knows best and the trials he gives us are for our own good keeps me on the right track. Look at life in this way, Allah (swt) has given us more than our "needs" so let's be thankful for that. Difficulties will come and go but what matters is how we deal with them...do they bring us closer to Allah (swt) or do we get farther and farther away from our religion? Constantly remind yourself of the tragedies Ahlulbayt (as) had to face, Sayida Zaineb (as) faced something that nobody has ever been through...she had to be patient through the tragedy of Karbala, a tragedy like no other in history, and yet she did not complain, she understood that bearing the pain of this dunya, no matter how hard it may be, will result in great reward in the hereafter, make that your focus...worry about the hereafter and you will get out of this depression...Allah Kareem...
Focus on all the good things Allah has given you-which you take for granted and then you will be fine.
Also, sometimes the duas are answered years later, like in the case of Prophet Musa (AS) who had a dua answered 40 years later.
I think we can beat depression by going back to basics in Islam. Like the 6 concepts of Iman. We need to accept QadrulAllah (Allah's will) good or bad. Whatever tragedy caused our depression may be a test from Allah. So can accept Allah's will and hopefully you will be fine.
This world is full of tests. May be Allah is testing your patience. Be patient, keep praying and inshaAllah you will be fine.
I really applaud you for your honesty and your heartfelt explication of the realities of depression. I am currently dealing with it and you're right on the ball with everything.
Allah (swt) tests us in many ways, and with the things we value the most i.e. health being one of them. I agree with the brother who said that patience and prayer is crucial. Faith in God, handing over our unmanageable lives to God is necessary for we have to accept who we are and what our situation is as well as stay positive.
Thank you for sharing your story, it is truly moving.
Great advice.
I feel this article has great importnce and value, as it is a current issue faced by many people (including myself) yet there is much stigma attached to this topic, also many muslims feel there is no such thing as depression in islam. If you have faith/imaan depression would be nonexistant. However I believe nothing in life is always so black and white and I have learnt this through my own personal experience.
I can relate extremely well to this article as recently i have been going through many hardships, a lot of pain, hurting and suffering. So much so, many times i thought of ending my life, to end the suffering, to end the pain, because it was too much for me to bare and i wanted it all to end, I wanted my life to end. And you are extremely right when saying it is the 'beast that has taken over you'. Because all it does is eat up away at you, bulding up inside. At one point it built up so bad I overdosed myself. Fortunately for me I am still alive and that is what made me realise Allah has plans for me, its not my time to die, that I have been blessed with life. I am still going through all the suffering and pain but I now realise mabe there is something I will learn in life after I have delt with the suffering.
Thankfully I had the support of my friends without judgements which helped me. Without this support network I really don't feel I would have been able to get through this ordeal. Therefore I feel by writing this article, it has established people are not alone, and they have the support and guidance there if required.
about time muslims talked about this subject.Many say this is nonsense, no such thing as
depression for muslims, people with iman don't suffer from depression.
I myself am suffering.only those who have it or have been through it can understand. I allways have strong
belief in Allah, when I was in deep depression my faith held me togather. only people with mild form of depression can deal with this without medication and help. when one is deeply affected its not so easy.
ah, ranting. this article did bring some comfort and hope though
It is unfortunate to hear about your situation, and may Allah give us all the strength to go through the tests of life. However, depression is an actual medical condition, and it is a very good idea for you to speak to a professional psychiatrist regarding your condition. Unlike some other religions, Islam does not tell its followers to simply rely on "faith" to solve all their problems. Just like when you get sick and you get medication, similarly you have to realize that, albeit taboo, depression is a medical condition that can be treated through medication, etc. While it is important to keep in mind that God is the source of all mercy and health, God has created avenues and procedures for us to receive that mercy, and in case of any medical condition (depression or otherwise), that venue is by going through a medical professional instead of solely relying on prayer. I strongly urge you to speak with a psychiatrist regarding your condition, and I pray for Allah to grant you a cure.
Wassalam.
I have been suffering from depression for so many years that I am literally sick of it. I have these unrealistic fears that just build up in me that I cannot control...I have the fear of death of people that I am attached to. I know I should be attached to and surrender completely to Allah and I want to do that but these fears just unable me to live my daily life. I drive myself crazy as well as my family. I have been on antidepressents that just keep increasing day by day. I am sick of all these meds. and I am so young to be even taking them. I just pray to Allah that I can get off them and never, ever have to turn back to them again or another episode of depression. Dua, your article did give me a lot of hope and enabled me to write. We desperately need Muslim counselors in each community. Anyone have any idea what I could do about my depression because every a few months I collapse and it is not pleasant at all.
ALLAH no matter what adversities comes to our life we will survive. HE is not giving as trials just
to mislead our lives, instead to become more strong and make ourselves as a better person. our heart and souls cleanse and become pure if we continue to do good and take the challenges in our life as our guide to success. INSA ALLAH!
once in my college days i was much depressed over my grades which was a big problem for me at that time. i was weeping and weeping, and when i got tired i prayed with tears and my my all teasing problems slowly went away, this was my first experience now whenever i feel any problem i recite the dua "Ya hayyu Ya Kayyum Bay Rehmatiqa Astagheesu"(correct if the spellings are wrong???) and beleive all of you as i recite it continuously it cures everything and i could see the way out.
And i always thanked my Allah who make me Muslim and gave me sense to become near to HIM. what else we need? everything else is part of this worldly examination. Allah help us all to get successful through it Amin.
Also if you pray with tears putting ahand at your heart you could feel that HE is around you and is ready to fulfill your desires.
Allah help us all to become good Muslims Amin.
Thanks for the post. I have just been looking for Islamic cure for anxiety when I came across your story. It touched me and I feel like that I am not the only one who suffers from stress and anxiety. Its true what u mentioned but a Muslim should also have a strong belief. Also one should recite " Astaghfirullah Alledhi La Ilaha illa huwal Hayyul Qayyum Watubu ilah"
I enjoyed reading this article. Over the recent years I have been going through tests that have almost shook me to the core mentally. Anxiety and feelings of panic occur more often. One thing I am grateful for is that my tests have pushed me to rely on Allah more and to mentally fight even when it seems things are the same or worse and my mind is overwhelmed. I am determined with the Help of God to get through this, hold on to my Islam, and live an Islamically successful life with my children. Life is hard and we do not know what we will face, but Allah Knows. Another thing that helps is knowing what we should do and what we should not do. This helps us to know when we feel we are reaching the "breaking point" we still have to stay focused so that we do not make our lives more miserable by making the wrong decisions to fix the problem. I need your duas and I am grateful for Allah's Mercy and Grace. Depression is real and no joke but it also reminds us of how far away I may be from keeping things in the right Islamic perspective. If I was more grateful to Allah and viewed life in the proper way, I do not think I would be depressed because I would have no reason or time to feel it.
Please do not lose hope. Stay positive. Always remember that we are all dependant and reliant on Allah (SWT) for every moment of our existence. Depression is essentially all about mental strength, and saying to yourself "inshAllah we will get throught this." ---ILLAHI AMEEN. I have found that putting our trust in Allah and praying to Him with te intercession of the Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) for all legitimate desires, is the way fwd. I hope this helps, and that iA your problems and afflictions resolve. ILLAHI AMEEN
him. so dont think about sad things think about good thinks a
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