How to overcome depression and anxiety with prayer and spirituality gives three ways to fight fear and anxiety, which come from feelings of inadequacy. Prayer and spirituality can make a significant difference in sufferers of depressive and anxiety disorders. For instance, when you face a situation you can’t control, such as failing marriages, poor health, and financial problems, these issues can break you down, and this is where your faith comes to your aid.
Churchgoing is linked to lower levels of anxiety and depression
Studies have shown that religious people are less likely to become depressed and anxious than their nonreligious counterparts. Frequent churchgoing was shown to be associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression, protecting against mental and psychological problems.
A study assessed the relationship between religious involvement and anxiety disorders in 2,969 individuals. They concluded that young and middle-aged individuals who attended church at least once a week were significantly less likely to have anxiety-related disorders than those who did not attend church regularly. Devotional activities such as prayer and Bible study were found to be linked with a lower incidence of agoraphobia and other forms of anxiety. Denominations did not make any difference.
Prayer benefits apply to all religions
A study was conducted in India to investigate whether the beneficial health aspects of prayer are exclusive to Christianity or applicable to other religions as well. So, in a study of Christian and Hindu patients, the psychological well-being of the patients was carefully evaluated. For Christian men and women, and for Hindu women, it was discovered that:
- Frequent attendance at worship correlated with fewer psychological problems
- No overall statistical difference between the Christian and Hindu groups
- Faith factor may be equally beneficial regardless of religious affiliation
Healing service linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety
In one study assessing the psychological health of church members, those who participated in healing services and were more actively involved in all church activities reported significantly fewer symptoms of psychological distress than those who participated less in such activities. The results showed a strong correlation between higher levels of church activity and lower levels of psychological distress.
Another set of studies showed that people who suffer from significant mental illnesses like depression and anxiety are less likely to be religiously involved than individuals who are psychologically well. In one study, 16 percent of the mentally ill claimed no religious affiliation, versus only 3 percent of not mentally ill patients. The mentally ill patients were also less likely to say that religion was important to them, and their church attendance rates were lower than not mentally ill subjects.
Prayer As An Alternative Therapy
Religious organisations are linked to fewer suicides
Faith helps reduce suicide incidents, which are often linked to mental illness. In a study of suicidal feelings among 720 members, researchers found that individuals reporting suicidal feelings were less likely than their non-suicidal peers to belong to a religious organization, to attend religious services, or to pray. A large community-based study found that people who attend church once a week or more are only half as likely to attempt suicide as others.
Another study found that, among 100 college-student subjects, those with a strong sense of religious well-being were less likely to commit suicide than those who did not derive peace and satisfaction from religious involvement.
It’s important to note that while religion and spirituality don’t eliminate mental health problems, what they do is help the victims cope with their disease. They can also enhance the healing process.
Faith Complements Medication
Prescription medications now form the medical cornerstone for recovery from mental illness. However, psychotherapy, support groups, and the resources of faith appear to help people change their thought patterns and make constructive changes in their lives.
So for many patients suffering through depression or anxiety, faith in God has actually brought them closer to God, perhaps not right away, but ultimately.
Finding a new meaning in life
Once free from these frightening illnesses, you will find new meaning in your life and often go forward with a desire to grow spiritually and serve others. Besides, illness can serve as a wake-up call to change destructive life patterns. And when you listen to the faith message and heed its call, you will do better in conquering depression and anxiety.