Depression affects approximately 18.8 million American adults each year, with women being 70% more likely to experience depression than men. While depression can affect people of all ages, its average age of onset has decreased from 29 years old 50 years ago to just 14.5 years old currently. Postpartum depression specifically impacts 5-25% of new mothers. Both Islamic and therapeutic perspectives emphasize treating depression through strengthening one's connection to God, seeking social support, addressing negative thought patterns, and considering professional help if symptoms are severe.

1. DEPRESSI
ON AND
WOMEN
-Saadia Z. Yunus, MA, MFT

2. Depressive Statistics (NMH)
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Approximately 18.8 million American adults, or
about 9.5 percent of the U.S. population age
18 and older in a given year, have a depressive
disorder
Depression affects all people regardless of
age, geographic location, demographic or social
position.
Depressive disorders are appearing earlier in
life with the average age of onset 50 years ago
being 29 whereas recent statistics indicate it at
just 14.5yrs in today's society.

3. What is Depression?
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DSM-IV, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders 4th ed. published by the American
Psychiatric Association
At least five symptoms from the list of symptoms must
be present during the same two-week period
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loss of energy, feelings of hopelessness, changes in
appetite, insomnia, and suicidal ideation
Symptoms interfere with their daily functioning, cause
distress for the person and those who care about him
or her
Even using the words depressed or depression may
lead to a negative state of mind or intensify
pessimistic feelings

4. Depression and Women
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70% more likely to
experience
depression during
their lifetime
Women ages 25-44
are most often
affected
Nearly twice as many
women (6.5 percent)
as men (3.3 percent)
suffer from major
depressive disorder
each year. These
figures translate to
6.7 million women

5. Postpartum Depression
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Studies report prevalence rates from 5% to 25%, so it
is unclear
Postpartum depression ranges in severity from mild to
suicidal
Postpartum depression (also postnatal depression) is
a form of major depression which can affect women,
and less frequently men, after childbirth
80% of postpartum women suffer from the 'Baby
blues' (or maternity blues), a mild form of 'moodiness'
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symptoms typically last from a few hours to several days,
and include tearfulness, irritability, hypochondriasis,
sleeplessness, impairment of concentration, isolation and
headache.
The maternity blues are not considered a postpartum
depressive disorder.

6. Islamic Solutions
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The most effective treatment of depression is to
return to the Book of Allah
The key is to hold onto His Book before
depression sets in because, oftentimes, when
you are in a deep state of hopelessness, it is
difficult to even pick up the Quran. Feelings of
despair may prevent you from seeking that
closeness to Allah (SWT).
“Therefore, remember Me and I will remember
you, and be grateful to Me and never be
ungrateful to Me.” (Quran 2:152)

7. Islamic Perspective
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“The moral, ethical, spiritual, psychological decline of
the Muslim Ummah is because of their lack of
connection to the Quran,” said Ustadh Nouman Ali
Khan
The Prophet (S) would at times feel a deep sadness,
which is a normal part of life, particularly when
difficulty arises
Allah (SWT) says in the Quran, “For indeed, in the
remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” (13: 28).
When we turn away from Allah’s remembrance, we
will feel agitation in all forms, whether it is sadness,
worry, fear, etc
Lack of tawakkul (full trust) in Allah
Lack of knowledge of the nature of tests

8. Islamic Tips and Tricks
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Increase in
Dhikr (Remembrance): Ex Say SubhanAllah while
doing laundry
 Ilm (Knowledge): Ex Take an online Islamic class
 Sabr (Patience): Ex Take deep breaths when you
feel like yelling
 Taqwa (Consciousness of God): Ex Surround
yourself with those who remind you of Allah
 Tawakkul (Trust in God): Ex Try not to worry; write
down our fears and cross them out
 Shukr (Gratitude): Ex Say Alhumdulillah
constantly; list your blessings
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9. Therapeutic Perspective
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Systemic perspective
“It is not the (individual) who is depressed, but the entire
relationship” --Salvador Minuchin, founder of Structural
Family Therapy, Families and Family Therapy, 1974
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Although one person is manifesting symptoms of
depression, there are issues within the relationship,
either couple or familial, that are leading to or
exacerbating symptoms of depression
Aaron Beck’s CBT: negative thinking patterns are the
cause
Nature vs. nurture: Is it a chemical imbalance within the
individual that is the sole cause of the disorder or do
environmental and relationship factors come in to play?

10. Why Women?
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"Women seem to have the capacity to be precipitated
into depressive episodes at lower levels of stress” Kenneth S. Kendler, M.D., director of the Virginia
Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics at
Virginia Commonwealth University
Role strain
Women's bodies respond to stress differently than
men's. They pour out higher levels of
stress hormones, and they fail to shut off production of
the stress hormones readily
Women ruminate more over upsetting situations,
going over and over negative thoughts and feelings,
especially if they have to do with relationships
Inability to express or handle anger

11. Therapeutic Solutions
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Although there may be a need for medication, it
should not be the only solution at the first sign of
the disorder
An effective treatment of depression is
psychotherapy
Many different options: psychiatrist, psychologist,
social worker, or a marriage and family therapist
Including family members in treatment is
beneficial as they become a support group
What can the individual do?  Positive self-talk,
Dr. Kristin Neff’s book on Self-Compassion

12. Finishing Touches
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Allah’s remembrance brings peace to the heart
Without Allah’s light, there will be darkness
Oftentimes, the darkness can consume an
individual so entirely that it is difficult to see even
a glimmer of light
Times like these are tests from Allah (SWT) that
may require a professional to help us through
them
“Verily, with hardship comes ease. Verily, with
hardship comes ease” (Quran, 94:6)
To find a therapist near you,
visit www.therapistlocator.net
DUA