A Comparison of Causes and Methods of Treating Anxiety from Perspective of Qur’an, Old Testament and New Schools of Psychology

Abstract

Anxiety has become one of the most common mental illnesses in the new millennium. The pressures of modern life, along with the rise of political crises such as war, have increased the number of people with mental illness around the world. At the same time, role of religion in human life has increased. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare causes and treatment of anxiety from perspective of the Qur'an and the Old Testament with new schools of psychology. This research has been done with a historical comparative approach. The method of data collection is documentary from the main sources - the Qur'an and the Old Testament - as well as secondary sources - books and articles - and method of data analysis is based on adoption of micro-analysis model. The first findings of study showed that view of the Qur'an and the Old Testament on disorder of anxiety is basically based on separation of "worldly anxiety" from "otherworldly anxiety". The Qur'an, the Old Testament, and the new schools of psychology also agree on the division of anxiety into good and bad. Second finding shows that modern schools of psychology insist on secular methods of treating anxiety, while the most important methods of treating anxiety from a Qur'an and Old Testament perspectives are religious advice. Considering the findings of study, it seems that use of scientific solutions by psychologists combined with use of religious recommendations can be more effective in reducing anxiety.

Keywords

• anxiety
• quran
• the new and old testament
• cultural-social approach
• treatment and causes