Abstract

Introduction and Objectives: Delivering accurate diagnosis and effective treatment has been a persistent concern for psychologists. Clinicians use various diagnostic frameworks, most notably the DSM. The majority of these frameworks are symptom-based. However, with recent developments in religious psychological approaches, the need for conceptualizing congruent frameworks is increasingly felt. This paper aimed to (1) propose a diagnostic structure for disorders based on the Quran and (2) formulate diagnostic criteria for six types of depression as captured by this structure. A specific content analysis methodology designed for Quranic contemplation was used to examine the notion of shākilah (personality/disposition) of disorder. The findings are organized into four sections: (1) exploring the semantics of shākilah as understood from Surah al-Isrāʾ; (2) defining the notion of shākilah of disorder as the structure of disorders; (3) introducing two models for this notion based on Surah al-Muzzammil and Surah al-Insān; and (4) proposing a diagnostic structure for depressive disorder based on the model from Surah al-Insān. The results show that proposing a diagnostic structure congruent with a theoretical basis drawn from the Quran is possible, and that this structure is causation-based rather than symptom-based, while still providing specific sets of symptoms for each depression type. This allows for capturing disorders with few visible symptoms on the one hand, and excluding cases with visible symptoms but no causation on the other, thereby increasing the accuracy of assessment, diagnosis, and therapy. Moreover, drawing theoretical bases from the words of revelation for defining notions and proposing structures minimizes radical shifts in the field while providing a more solid understanding of disorders.