According to Professor Syed Sultan, a senior psychiatrist in Pakistan, “about 34% people in Pakistan are suffering from anxiety and depression and the rate is increasing.” There are only 400 psychiatrists for 2 million Pakistanis, creating an alarming situation for the Psychiatry departments present in our country.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how you feel, think, behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities and sometimes, you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.
Modern psychological clinics are dependent on the tranquilizing tablets of Valium or other drugs in the effort to control depression, while some other clinics prefer electrical shock treatment.
On the other hand, Islam provides us a complete way of life and offers the real solution of every problem. Here, we have the sayings and advice of Hazrat Ali for those individuals who are suffering from depression and anxiety.
Pour Cool Water Over The Head
Source: IBTimes UK
Take a bath with cool water, and especially pour it over the head. Imam Ali says,
“Whoever has grief that he is unable to identify, let him wash his head.”- Bihar al Anwar Vol 76
Keep Yourself Clean
Source: Gary S. Chapman
Wash your clothes and remove bad smells, which means cleanliness in general.
“Washing one’s clothes takes away grief and sorrow.”– Bihar al Anwar Vol 76
Remembering Allah
Source: Kanzul Islam
Mention Allah a lot, especially by saying “there is no power save in Allah”
“If grief increases, you should mention there is no power save in Allah.”– Bihar al Anwar Vol 76
Eat Grapes
Source: McDVeg
As mentioned in the traditions carried by Hazrat Ali, eating grapes helps release a lot of tensions in mind.
Revive Your Lifestyle
Source: UCANews
A materialistic approach in life can cause sorrow. Getting rid of this approach can reduce your depression to a great extent. “Loving the worldly life causes grief and sorrow and abstaining from it causes comfort of the heart and the body.”- Bihar al Anwar Vol 76
Stop Being Jealous
Source: www.alarabiya.net
Do not envy others because “Envy eats faith as fire eats firewood”
“I have not seen an unjust one who is more similar to the wronged than one who envies: continuous panting, upset heart, and endless sorrow.” – Bihar al Anwar Vol 76
Be Happy With What You Have
Source: Hope City
While we are busy back biting about others, we tend to forget the numerous blessings the Almighty has bestowed upon us with. Satisfaction reduces grief and depression. “Allah, with His wisdom and favor, has made comfort and joy in certainty and satisfaction and made grief and sorrow in suspicion and dissatisfaction” – Bihar al Anwar Vol 76
