For someone who is suffering from depression, is it a good idea to criticize him for not being in a habit of praying more often? Well, some sanctimonious people always bring this up to people suffering from this serious mental condition. My intention here is not to undermine our sacred values or religious obligations. Plus, there is no doubt about the magnificence of wonders that Namaz can do for a soul. But here we are talking about a mental condition of people who have lost their ability to think optimistically, rationally, have become hopeless and even suicidal in worst-case scenarios.
If they are seeing a therapist, they are probably on strong medications that help in controlling their anxiety and stress levels at the expense of their mental and physical energy levels. Depression is not just temporary sadness which most people perceive it to be. People with depression can appear to be mentally and physically drained and exhausted. They might feel like spending most of their time alone, locked up in a room, sleeping, doing nothing or some might appear to be just normal. It is nearly impossible for them to see the light at the end of the tunnel. While you tell them the glass is half full, they might see the half-empty part. Therefore, it is extremely important to be cognizant of this medical condition while talking to them.
When you tell a depressed person that the reason for all their restlessness is owed to their negligence towards their religious duty – it exacerbates their suffering. Your intention to help the person might be genuine but to them, you have alluded that they have failed at another significant thing in life by being bad Muslims. You have added into their list another reason to feel bad about their selves. And, they won’t start praying all of a sudden because you reminded them, but they certainly would tend to think of themselves as even worse human beings who have lost contact with their Almighty God by not fulfilling their religious duty.
Depression can hinder a person’s ability to think rationally and perform daily tasks including those of his likes. It leads a person towards extreme loss of interest in all activities, even those which he used to enjoy once. It’s a complex situation that people take for granted and offer an easy way out as if it could not have occurred to the person who is depressed in the first place.
And worst is the case for women in our society. If a woman gets hit by depression – people might accuse her of having a victim mentality or of being overdramatic, attention-seeking and there are other various social stigmas attached to a woman if she is depressed.
Depression is not a state of temporary sadness. It is a serious medical condition that requires attention and professional treatment. The way our society gives unsolicited advice might aggravate the condition of a depressed soul. It is imperative to be mindful of the words we choose while speaking to someone who has been struggling with depression.