Ramadan and Mental Health
Probably not as positive as the other Ramadan stories you’ve read recently
It’s that time of year again. Every able and practicing Muslim around the world is fasting (yep — not even allowed water!) from dawn till dusk, donating generously to charity and offering increased amounts of prayers and reading the Qur’an.
For those who are unaware, this is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed and observing Ramadan is commemorative of this. It is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and defines what it means to be a Muslim.
For most Muslims this is a time of introspection, togetherness and celebration. However, for some living with mental health issues, Ramadan can be a terrifying experience.
My struggle
Growing up I always used to look forward to Ramadan. But then as I got older, I noticed my depression consistently getting worse during it. In the build up, I would be filled with a sense of dread and during it, I just felt incapacitated all day with that feeling you get when you’re just about to cry of deep sadness (there must be a word for this in German, surely?). I was on the brink and I knew something was up but I carried on by telling myself “well, I’m young, there’s nothing physically wrong with me and even my grandmother is fasting”!
I couldn’t talk to anyone in my family or community about what I was experiencing because they all seemed to be willing their way through and enjoying it. People didn’t and still don’t speak about it enough and this made me feel isolated in my struggle.
What needs to be done
Since then, things have changed for me. I have more agency for myself, prioritize my mental health and only fast when I am able to do so. I think the thing that would have helped me is being told that it’s okay not to fast if you are experiencing symptoms of your mental health issues.
Fasting for some people can exacerbate their symptoms due to changes in the medication schedules and increased stress but it can also trigger eating disorders. At a community level, we need to understand this and encourage people to do what’s best for their health both physically and mentally. The main reason I wrote this post in the first place was because I attended a talk about Ramadan recently and the host made no mention of it being okay not to fast due to mental health issues when asked about which people are exempt. We also need to create an inclusive community where people can talk about these things without the fear of being judged on their piety and can participate in events and activities without judgement.
At an individual level we need to stop asking others why they are not fasting and understand that everyone is on their own journey and has their own reasons. Asking this can make individuals feel like they have to justify themselves. Put simply, just mind your own business and don’t judge people.
Practical tips
For those who are struggling and reading this now or during another Ramadan, I hope this has helped somewhat. I am aware that much of it was at times vague and passive aggressive ramblings but here are some words to help you through that I wish someone had told me:
- Mental health issues are just as important to look after as physical health issues.
- You are the best judge of your fitness and you’re not any less of a Muslim if you can’t fast for reasons related to this.
- If you’re unable to fast, you can do other acts of worship to be closer to Allah during Ramadan.
Finally, if you are in crisis and need support please reach out to a helpline: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/helplines-listening-services/
