Depression ,how to understand it better

[Arfa]

We have been told that depression is always caused by a chemical imbalance and cured by a chemical fix a prescription.More than 30 million people take anti depressants one in seven women and also men.Many people try to cope with depression by taking anti depressants trying to fight agitation chronic feelings of hopelessness inactivity and lack of energy.Leaders in the field are saying this is not the whole story.Depression is just not about a chemical imbalance there's more to it than that infact a lot more.Depression is a sign a powerful symptom of mismatch in our lifestyles.When you lack exposure to sunlight,poor hygiene and diet,lack of sleep,consuming a lot of stress all of these factors combine to create depression a sign that your life needs changing.Your subconscious mind tries to draw your attention to a very serious cause of concern in your life that needs to be fixed and healed.Inflammation in body is a sign that expresses it self.

So Depression isnot to be cured by anti depressants as it has underlying issues that go deeper than human body reacts to in form of physical symptom.Anti depressants on the long term adversely effect the brains neuro system to regularise itself on a normal basis.Depression needs to be addressed and understood first trying to know its root causes and then treating it respectively.

What many people don't know that depression can also be an opportunity to change our lifestyles than to suppress and repeat the old patterns causing various symptoms.Its an opportunity to heal the body's natural mechanism to focus on what is right for one self to say yes to a different story to accept a transformation in ones life and to change lifestyles that fight depression .Quran has healing properties that can heal any destitute mind and provide endless hope to a Darkened soul lost in darkness and be a source of guiding light and support .(Content was inspired by MBG and own interpretations).

 

[noraina]

Interesting insights, I am studying psychopathology and am focusing on depression, it is really fascinating.

I agree, antidepressants are a quick-fix solution to just temporarily relieve symptoms. They treat only the consequences of depression, not the cause - so they're basically masking the real problem and giving an illusion of cure when in fact the problem there, just you're unable to 'feel' it

That's not saying these medications have no use, as they do work - just I believe they are more like temporary painkillers at the start of a treatment, nothing permanent or to get dependant on.

Depression is a difficult one, it is one of those 'invisible' illnesses people don't take seriously enough just because they can't see any visible symptoms *sigh* but I don't want to start ranting on that again .

 

[Arfa]

Interesting subject !hey I know the fact that many people who have aids or some other illness are understood and sympathised by society but no body takes depression as a serious illness and yes it's invisible to many as the symptoms are not very apparent.Rant or not but if one actually go through such a down phase i think many depressed people just turn silent and don't really rant that much.Though it's always good to talk about it....I can go on and on on this but I guess you get the picture.

 

[muslimah_B]

Many people dont talk about it as generally its looked down upon or immediately the person is told its due to being possessed by a jinn or what people usually do to make themselves happy has no effect on those who suffer from depression, so the person gives up thinking they're useless as they wont "snap out of it" and they have no time for someone who is so glum about life and doesnt want to interact with people or talk.
unless you yourself go through it you will never be able to fully understand or appreciate how that person feels or their thought process during it.

 

[noraina]

Depression can really effect the quality of your life...but in most societies it is viewed as something to be hidden, as they believe it is a sign of emotional weakness or whatever, or it only afflicts overly-sensitive or vulnerable people. There are so many stereotypes associated with it, that will put a lot of people off from seeking help, or even discussing it with their loved ones because they don't want to come across as complaining.

And that's the worst thing you can do, clam up and keep it all to yourself, but we've created an atmosphere I think where people facing difficulties like this are discouraged from speaking up about it, the attitude comes across to me as brushing a nuisance under the carpet as nobody wants to deal with it.

Within the Muslim community a lot of people say it is a sign of weak iman :hmm: I don't know where they get that from.

 

[muslimah_B]

Depression can really effect the quality of your life...but in most societies it is viewed as something to be hidden, as they believe it is a sign of emotional weakness or whatever, or it only afflicts overly-sensitive or vulnerable people. There are so many stereotypes associated with it, that will put a lot of people off from seeking help, or even discussing it with their loved ones because they don't want to come across as complaining.

And that's the worst thing you can do, clam up and keep it all to yourself, but we've created an atmosphere I think where people facing difficulties like this are discouraged from speaking up about it, the attitude comes across to me as brushing a nuisance under the carpet as nobody wants to deal with it.

Within the Muslim community a lot of people say it is a sign of weak iman :hmm: I don't know where they get that from.

Well its mainly the harsh people who brush it off

The weak imaan can come from when in a deppressed state the "why me" "i hate life" and suicidal thoughts or self harm or the thoughts of not relying on Allah etc etc
People dont understand that you dont wake up overnight and become deppressed, there are events that lead up to this, traumatic events, loss of life, abuse, sexual abuse, even terrible thighs in childhood or the past which can be triggerd by something can cause someone to become deppressed and constantly relive that situation i.e going through the place or area where trauma happend, constant nightmares, seeing the persom who caused you the harm

Its not a easy subject to discuss as everyones situation is different and unless anyone has experienced it wont know how it feels to be in that situation and usually the "help" is not help at all and more judgmental than anything which in turn makes the situation worse and further isolates the person

 

[Arfa]

The sad part is many people judge those having depression but don't Realize that its a normal response to a situation.Even Prophet Peace Be Upon Him went through it after the demise of his P B U H uncle and wife.So undermining depression is not only inhuman but a highly narrow approach ??????and people do tend to judge depressed folks when it's only a phase that any one could go through!!Only thing understandable is and it reflects in our Deen too is to be more compassionate towards this mental state and support fully instead of calling such people complainers and boring.Depression too needs a ray of hope that is a strong Iman to get out of that state.These two factors are I guess interlinked as without motivation and support it's difficult to see the light.Just a matter of perspective

 

[muslimah_B]

Exactly ^^^^^

Alot of muslims (not all) like to do alot of shunning and easily giving up on people when in a low state of emaan and deppression, they act like your dieseased and it will pass onto them, and expect everything to get better overnight or by their few words.
People with depression need support sometimes constant support depending on what level they are on, and there is hardly any support for these types of issues

There honestly needs to be a serious re-think among the muslim community with mental health issues especially when there is no involvement with jinn and the person just needs a lot of support

 

[EgyptPrincess]

Depression is not widely understood from what I can recall. I've not studied psychology but a wide range of people get depressed, from the filthy rich to the poor. There was a girl at my school who said she was depressed and nobody helped her, I should have tried to do more for her, I may have been able to save her may god forgive me.

Animals even get depressed. It's caused by a multitude of factors from health, sex life, looks, job, environment and even weather. I've never been depressed so it's hard to relate to how a person feels who is depressed. When it comes to medication we should be careful, medication doesn't cure things like depression, they just create a temporary bridge which will collapse the moment you run out of medication. We can never cure these things until we fully understand what causes it and how we can cure it.

Allahu Alam

 

[noraina]

We lack an Islamic perspective on psychology and mental-health issues...incorporating both secular therapies with Islamic counselling.

I was saying this to someone and they're like 'We don't have any problems with mental health in the Muslim community alhamdulillah' I couldn't believe it, I said we have just as much incidence of these things as in any other community, it's just we aren't recognising or acknowledging this fact.

There is a stigma attached to things like even depression or anxiety - and I think a lack of awareness from people about how serious they can be. They call depression as 'feeling sorry for yourself' or anxiety as 'attention seeking or basically bad behaviour'.

That's why I love Yasmin Mogahed so much, she studied psychology and you can tell how she incorporates it and Islam to explain the way the human mind works - we need more people like her.

I think we've forgotten how to listen to each other, like properly. If you look at the Prophet (pbuh) people would just our out their problems to him and he would try to fix them despite what he was going through. Sometimes you just need someone to listen to you and be assured you aren't alone and your voice is heard too....I mean that's what I think, I've just got my bookish experience to go on.

 

[aminah996]

MashaAllah very inspiring sister! May we listen to each other more often. Also gain understanding of ones problem

 

[muslimah_B]

I think sometimes aswell, if the deppression is caused by a sin we cant really talk about it or we would be exposing our sins, so then people become more isolated as they cant talk about it and feel worse inside

There's so many reasons just no help and support out there lol

 

[T L]

Salaam ladies.

I'm going to be straight up and give you my honest view on depression. I have had many experiences in my life which should've given me enough reasons to "feel" depressed, but that was a choice and I chose not to give into that feeling. Because once you do, that's it, you fall into the pit, into the "sympathetic" arms of a great population of people who also feel the same, encouraging you that it's okay, making you revel in it, and further investing into a way of thinking which is pure self loathing and emo.

I completely, with full certainty believe this is a totally illogical way of feeling and thinking being muslims. I believe greatly that this is part of the age of deception, the Dajjalic system of making us rely more on the Dunya than God. Alhamdulillah for everything.

Muslims are not depressed/sad people, we're happy, content and comforted by our level of conviction in our Creator, and His Promises. The Sahabi (may Allah be pleased with them) gave up their entire lives to establish Islam, and for what? For this ummah to succumb to its own trials and weaknesses and give into sadness? How can you justify depression?

It is a sickness of the heart to feel this way. We are only fooling ourselves. And another thing which troubles me and I'll say it because I'm straight forward, is that there is always a majority of women that revel in this. Wherever I look, it's the same attitude and perspectives, encouraging this within each other, it's completely wrong in my eyes. Yes, fine, talk, be supportive of one another's problems, show compassion, but to encourage this illogical way of thinking you're not helping each other at all.

Muslims live with complete conviction of their faith, and are content with it! No level of test from our Lord should waiver that. The only ever-reliable support is from Allah, no amount of words from anyone else will help you in the way God will. But you must help yourself first.

I know you don't like what I have to say but I had to put it out there because it's what I firmly believe. I have known many people throughout my life with a variety of different mental illnesses, and disabilities, and some who just completely look at life through the wrong lens because of social conditioning. "depression" to me is just defeatist. Be happy and be grateful.

~LV

 

[Scimitar]

Some people are addicted to being the "victims"... they refuse to take control.

Scimi

 

[MidnightRose]

We lack an Islamic perspective on psychology and mental-health issues...incorporating both secular therapies with Islamic counselling.

I was saying this to someone and they're like 'We don't have any problems with mental health in the Muslim community alhamdulillah' I couldn't believe it, I said we have just as much incidence of these things as in any other community, it's just we aren't recognising or acknowledging this fact.

There is a stigma attached to things like even depression or anxiety - and I think a lack of awareness from people about how serious they can be. They call depression as 'feeling sorry for yourself' or anxiety as 'attention seeking or basically bad behaviour'.

That's why I love Yasmin Mogahed so much, she studied psychology and you can tell how she incorporates it and Islam to explain the way the human mind works - we need more people like her.

I think we've forgotten how to listen to each other, like properly. If you look at the Prophet (pbuh) people would just our out their problems to him and he would try to fix them despite what he was going through. Sometimes you just need someone to listen to you and be assured you aren't alone and your voice is heard too....I mean that's what I think, I've just got my bookish experience to go on.

The Khalil Center is another resource in relation to this that comes to mind. They look at psychology with an Islamic perspective as well.

The following is their Twitter account description:

"Khalil Center is a psychological & spiritual wellness center pioneering the application of Islamic spiritual healing to modern psychological practice."

Check them out @ http://khalilcenter.com/. You won’t regret it, :ia:.

 

[Scimitar]

check out Dr Ridwhan Saleem from Hameem college - he's a scholar and has a masters or something in mental health.

Here, rich pickings:

Scimi

 

['abd al-hakeem]

Does anybody stop to consider the Power of Allah subhano wa Ta'ala...

 

[Cpt.America]

Salaam ladies.

I'm going to be straight up and give you my honest view on depression. I have had many experiences in my life which should've given me enough reasons to "feel" depressed, but that was a choice and I chose not to give into that feeling. Because once you do, that's it, you fall into the pit, into the "sympathetic" arms of a great population of people who also feel the same, encouraging you that it's okay, making you revel in it, and further investing into a way of thinking which is pure self loathing and emo.

I completely, with full certainty believe this is a totally illogical way of feeling and thinking being muslims. I believe greatly that this is part of the age of deception, the Dajjalic system of making us rely more on the Dunya than God. Alhamdulillah for everything.

Muslims are not depressed/sad people, we're happy, content and comforted by our level of conviction in our Creator, and His Promises. The Sahabi (may Allah be pleased with them) gave up their entire lives to establish Islam, and for what? For this ummah to succumb to its own trials and weaknesses and give into sadness? How can you justify depression?

It is a sickness of the heart to feel this way. We are only fooling ourselves. And another thing which troubles me and I'll say it because I'm straight forward, is that there is always a majority of women that revel in this. Wherever I look, it's the same attitude and perspectives, encouraging this within each other, it's completely wrong in my eyes. Yes, fine, talk, be supportive of one another's problems, show compassion, but to encourage this illogical way of thinking you're not helping each other at all.

Muslims live with complete conviction of their faith, and are content with it! No level of test from our Lord should waiver that. The only ever-reliable support is from Allah, no amount of words from anyone else will help you in the way God will. But you must help yourself first.

I know you don't like what I have to say but I had to put it out there because it's what I firmly believe. I have known many people throughout my life with a variety of different mental illnesses, and disabilities, and some who just completely look at life through the wrong lens because of social conditioning. "depression" to me is just defeatist. Be happy and be grateful.

~LV

I disagree.

Depression is a real illness.
I've known practicing muslims who've suffered depression.
It didn't turn them suicidal and they never lost conviction in their faith in Allah, but it was a test for those whom were afflicted.
When a Muslim is afflicted with such a mental illness they take solace in the fact they know Allah is there and they turn to Him to make it through it all. They might not feel like they will ever be better, and they might lose a lot of functionality because the disease makes getting through basic tasks difficult. But they keep a confidence in Allah and trust in Allah and turn to Allah even when they doubt their ownselves, to get through the test that they have.
However when a nonbeliever is afflicted with depression they don't turn to Allah.

That is the difference.

Being depressed doesn't mean that your Imaan is weak, nor does it mean that you are seeking attention. If it is actual clinical depression it is a chemical imbalance in the brain that usually occurs after a traumatic experience.

 

[T L]

Chemical imbalances occur in every single one of us.

Some more than others, but it's the way we look at it. My point is that it's very easy to "give in" to a diagnosis, you can either let it totally take control of your life and feel victimised by it, or you can take a step back and see it as something than can be worked with/on, with many possibilities of keeping such symptoms at bay, or to completely remove them. And ultimately being grateful and thankful is a major step towards being able to do that.

You think I'm not talking from experience and being judgemental?

We all face many situations in our lives that test our patience, our strength, and the tests come down on us hard, to the point where we feel like we're incapable of making it through. As muslims we understand this is part of our existence on earth. We all suffer experiences where we can feel "traumatised" by it, there is nothing new here. We're all constantly in the same boat always, but because of our selfish nature we just cannot see that we're all in this together.
What we feel is shared, it's global, these feelings have existed since the beginning of our creation, the structure has remained the same. But what has changed? The perception of it. And THAT'S what I'm trying to say here. We've been mollycoddled over the generations to fall victim to these "chemical imbalances" and whatever else the doctor orders. It's part of the system. Do you not see it?
True there are some illnesses where (as of yet) there are no cures for, some illnesses which aren't really illnesses at all, they're disabilities where the brain is not wired in the same way as everyone elses, SubhanAllah. I refuse to talk about myself and my personal experiences with a range of all of these, but the conclusions I have reached on my journey make sense to me. I cannot agree with the majority in this thread because of it.

It really is mind over matter, there is no room for this perspective and the belief in our inability to "function" in islam due to such categorised mental illnesses. Practicing muslims or non practicing muslims, you do not know what is in their heart, but God has given us every possible example over the history of time to understand that there is nothing to feel negative about, for His Promise is Ever True. Stop feeling victimised, stop making up excuses for yourself, stop blaming the diagnosis and take control because we are absolutely capable of it. Insha'Allah.

~LV

 

[Cpt.America]

Chemical imbalances occur in every single one of us.

Some more than others, but it's the way we look at it. My point is that it's very easy to "give in" to a diagnosis, you can either let it totally take control of your life and feel victimised by it, or you can take a step back and see it as something than can be worked with/on, with many possibilities of keeping such symptoms at bay, or to completely remove them. And ultimately being grateful and thankful is a major step towards being able to do that.

You think I'm not talking from experience and being judgemental?

We all face many situations in our lives that test our patience, our strength, and the tests come down on us hard, to the point where we feel like we're incapable of making it through. As muslims we understand this is part of our existence on earth. We all suffer experiences where we can feel "traumatised" by it, there is nothing new here. We're all constantly in the same boat always, but because of our selfish nature we just cannot see that we're all in this together.
What we feel is shared, it's global, these feelings have existed since the beginning of our creation, the structure has remained the same. But what has changed? The perception of it. And THAT'S what I'm trying to say here. We've been mollycoddled over the generations to fall victim to these "chemical imbalances" and whatever else the doctor orders. It's part of the system. Do you not see it?
True there are some illnesses where (as of yet) there are no cures for, some illnesses which aren't really illnesses at all, they're disabilities where the brain is not wired in the same way as everyone elses, SubhanAllah. I refuse to talk about myself and my personal experiences with a range of all of these, but the conclusions I have reached on my journey make sense to me. I cannot agree with the majority in this thread because of it.

It really is mind over matter, there is no room for this perspective and the belief in our inability to "function" in islam due to such categorised mental illnesses. Practicing muslims or non practicing muslims, you do not know what is in their heart, but God has given us every possible example over the history of time to understand that there is nothing to feel negative about, for His Promise is Ever True. Stop feeling victimised, stop making up excuses for yourself, stop blaming the diagnosis and take control because we are absolutely capable of it. Insha'Allah.

~LV

I am not saying anyone should make any excuses.
But some people are incapable of taking that control that you describe, when they have depression.
I am glad that, Alhamdulillah, whatever traumatic experiences you've experienced in your life, with Allah's help you were able to overcome it with your force of will alone. May Allah preserve you and give you ease through this dunya and reward in the akhirat.
But not everyone can. Which is not to say that they are not turning to Allah.
Mind over matter is what is keeping them turning to Allah. (Instead of offing themselves or something else drastic)
But a person cannot choose to force themselves to be 'happy'. They can only be grateful for what they have but that doesn't necessarily relive them of psychological hurt.
If a person is depressed they are depressed, simple as that.
But I cannot stress, that just because they find themselves divorced from the dunya, and unable sometimes to swim in it, it is by no measure at all that they have let go an inch from the deen, and their depression may be the test that makes them stronger in their Imaan.
May Allah cure them of their affliction and make them functional and whole again.

We should not ignore people who have severe depression and assume it is all in their head.

But at the same time antidepressants and other antipsychotics can be dangerous. It is too easy for a person to become dependent upon them, and should only be taken as a last stop emergency measure.

We need to be a supportive community and truly treat our brothers as our brothers, And sisters treat our sisters as our sisters. So any Muslim who is going through depression of anxiety can know, that no matter what difficulty they feel, the are safe, loved, and secure with not only Allah (of course) but by the Muslims