Not sure how active this thread will be but from time to time I come across YouTube videos on mental health in Islam. Seeing as this issue tends to be swept under the carpet in our community id make a thread
Anxiety is a protective measure Allāh Has Given human beings. By default, it isn't a bad thing. It serves as a kind of alarm system for our mind and body to help us get ready for dangerous situations. At the same time, it is possible for anxiety to take place at unnecessary times or at unnecessary levels.
Muslim When anxiety happens, the mind and body are affected. With our mind, we can have racing thoughts, inability to focus, difficulty remembering or learning new information. In the body it can cause racing heart rate, increased blood pressure, muscle tension, dizziness, nausea, constipation or diarrhea. We can also feel out of control, have difficulty sleeping or even feel like we're going to die.
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*Self help Islam and Anxiety*
We all experience difficulties in our life’s and as Muslims we should know that this is a test from Allah. In fact that this is something Muslims firmly believe in, that going through difficult times is inevitable.
*{Do people think they will be left alone and they will not be tried? …}* ( Al-`Ankbut 29:3)
*And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).* Al-Baqra Verse No:155
Allah gives us reward through affliction
It’s important to remember that as Muslims Allah has not left us but rather he wants us to get closer to him however we must also seek professional help where necessary.
For example when we re ill we go to see a GP to aid recovery. Just like if you are suffering from a Mental Health condition you should seek help from a Qualified professional Counsellor that is in congruence with your faith.
*Allah encourages us to seek help*
*Anxiety is something that we cannot escape given the adversities that we may experience everyday. Anxiety is a condition that doesn’t show itself out of nowhere. It slowly gets on us without us really knowing.*
Depression is a condition that brings us down and makes us feel like life is not worth it anymore. It slowly creeps its way into our system and turns us into a kind of person who isn’t enthusiastic about life anymore.
*What is Anxiety and How it May Lead to Depression and Vice Versa*
*What exactly is anxiety?*
Anxiety is often described as an unpleasant feeling that we all experience such as always being uptight, nervous, tense or irritable. It may affect how we think and behave as excessive worry may prevent us from doing things that we need and want to do.
Anxiety causes us to feel worried for a long period of time even if the worry doesn’t have any basis.
But it’s normal to worry or feel anxious about some things in life.
In fact, it can often be helpful.
For example, worrying about how you’ll pass your exam, driving test, acing that interview, you then prepare yourself by studying and as a result of being motivated by that concern is good.
*How do you know if it is good or bad anxiety?*
Well according to research It’s been found that symptoms of anxiety are much more frequent when the condition known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is present.
General worriers tend to spend an average of 56 minutes a day worrying, while people with GAD often spend over 300 minutes a day worrying — over five times as much.
Another thing to know about anxiety is that it goes hand in hand with depression.
They are two very different conditions but are often seen in tandem with each other.
If you want to know how to cope with anxiety and depression, then you need to understand how one relates to the other.
Sometimes having anxiety may lead to depression because being constantly worried will drag you down, filling you with negative thoughts that eventually lead to depression.
Having depression may also lead to anxiety because depression slows productivity which eventually leads to long-term worries and anxiety.
Once you know how to cope with anxiety and depression, you can relax without having to worry about one condition breeding the other.
*Symptoms of Anxiety*
For symptoms, there are four categories of symptoms to know whether you have anxiety or not, namely: physical, thoughts, emotions, and behavior.
Let’s start with the physical symptoms that you may have. Some symptoms would include tension, muscular pain, dizziness, chest pain, trembling, shaking, and palpitations.
For thoughts, you would often ask to worry about if something bad happens, you would always look at the worst case scenario, your mind is always on alert, and you often worry all the time.
For emotional symptoms, you would often feel nervous, panicky, or stressed.
You’d also feel very irritable and would have a short temper.
Lastly, you would have behavioral symptoms.
If you feel like wanting not to do things you like, often pace around, get spooked easily, talk too fast, and get angry at people too fast.
*Learning how to reduce the amount of time you spend worrying*
*Lastly, you have to learn how to decrease your worry time. One technique to do this would be to create a “worry time”. Outside of your worry time, probably for just 20 minutes, try to take out all thoughts in your head. When you’re in your worry time, time yourself with a timer so that you can limit it. While you’re in your “worry time,” try to make up as many solutions as possible and list them down. Try to solve them again in the next worry time.*
*Lifestyle Tips*
Those are some mental tips on how to curb your anxiety. However, for you to overcome anxiety and depression fully, there are some lifestyle changes that you need to obey, such as:
Eat Well
Always eat a balanced meal curbing unhealthy processed foods, too much sweets, and too much carbs.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise helps you emit happy hormones and create a “high” that can curb anxiety.
Learn to Relax
Pick up some activities that can help you relax like sports, yoga, or meditation.
Do Something You Like
One of the symptoms of anxiety is that you stop doing things that like to do. Try going back to doing what you like to do so that you can be happy.
Talk to a Loved One
Lastly, talk to a loved one. Opening up to a trusted family member or friend will help you, not only to vent out your worries but also to make you feel that there is someone there for you.
Life is never a bed of roses. We suffer from heartbreak, pain, and calamity, any of which might drive us to depression. However, at times depression can just be there for no specific reason at all, and when this happens it is imperative that we seek help for it. Allah SWT The Creator of Universe has revealed The Noble Quran as a guide for mankind till the end of time, giving us a guide to help us through depression. Some surahs of the Holy Quran are valuable reading during depression and anxiety, as their meanings and messages can help alleviate depression, inshaa Allah.
*SURAH DUHA*
*Surah Duha, Surah 93, ALHAMDULILLAH KATHEERAN.
Allah azza wajjal revealed it at a time when our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam was depressed, to soothe him.
For the man who suffered the most in this world, it was something very soothing.
The Surah reminds the prophet of the blessings that Allah has opened for him and asks him to help the poor and the needy and to make mention of the blessings of Allah upon him.
*SURAH INSHIRQH*
Along with Surah Duha, Allah also revealed Surah Inshirah, Surah 94, in the Quran.
Allah tells the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam about how Allah had eased the pain that the prophet felt internally by revealing to him the Quran.
Allah mentions how He will raise the mention of His prophet around the world, and today every second somewhere on earth the adhaan is going on and someone somewhere is saying Ashadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah.
Allah also mentions that both before hardship and after hardship is ease.
Then He instructs the prophet to pray to His Lord after he is done with his duties to the people.
I used to have anxiety, but I'm more aware of it now.
I want to make mention that it is fear of Allah that can cause anxiety, personally. There are different kinds of anxiety but the one that cripples you if it's related to religion.
My humble suggestion would be learn your attachment style with others. Dont to put any pressure on yourself to be perfect at something, otherwise it can get worse. The solution is observe your thoughts or worries gentl and not hurtful.
I just learned the end of last year that I have severe ADHD. Had it since I was born but never knew it until now. I can help with advice on how to cope/manage it for anyone who might be going through the same or knows someone who does. This might sound strange but due to my individual circumstances, I am actually very grateful to Allah that I have it, very grateful that I didn't know about it before and very grateful that I do know about it now. Going through struggles but things are improving al-Hamdullilah. Anyway I can help with that aspect.
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