Self-Development and Independence: Keeping the Mind Free

To develop properly in a natural manner, it is important for a person to be independent. Independence is vital for natural growth, because growth should be the result of God-inspired goals inspiring our development. The mind should be free of all influences other than that of Allah. A person should try to associate with people whose influence will positively lead them toward their God-inspired goals. Allah reminds us not to pursue what we have no knowledge of, since we will be questioned about our hearing, sight, and heart (Qur'an 17:36).

How do we stay independent in our thinking while still benefiting from the expertise of others?

When Treatment Helps and When It Can Hold Us Back

Modern medicine, including psychiatric medicine, can bring the mind under the influence of others, especially those who prescribe and treat. In some cases such medicines are vital for the safety of the individual and the members of their community. The Prophet (SAW) encouraged seeking treatment, saying that Allah has not sent down a disease except that He also sent down its cure (Sahih al-Bukhari 5678).

But when medicines are not needed, and a person is diagnosed improperly, as can happen with psychiatric diagnoses, their development may be compromised. They cannot be the best version of themselves. Instead, they may become a person shaped by the worldview of the treating psychiatrist.

No One Is a Lord Over Another

Psychiatrists are human beings, and like all of us they are vulnerable to ego, bias, insecurity, and even jealousy. When a practitioner does not carefully follow the ethics of the profession, the treatment can become a matter of controlling the patient and tailoring their life as if the practitioner were in charge. The Qur'an tells us not to take one another as lords besides Allah (Qur'an 3:64).

This may show up in the way a practitioner speaks. They may compare themselves with the person in their care, or describe that person's achievements in a way that reveals their own insecurity, when there is no need for comparison. A patient can notice this, and can ask questions, request a second opinion, and take part in decisions about their own care.

Growing Naturally

So a person who does not have a real mental illness should be careful about medication that may not be needed, and should seek a second opinion if in doubt. Otherwise, the system can find a problem for every solution, and we lose our chance to keep developing naturally.