Navigating Ramadan with a mental illness

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a month in which Muslims fast from dawn till dusk.

For many Muslims, it is one of the most wonderful times of the year. It’s a chance to self-reflect, grow spiritually through good deeds and spend time with loved ones and the wider community. For those of us struggling with our mental health however, Ramadan can be a different story.

In the summer of 2012, Ramadan coincided with my first episode of severe depression. I knew that I was very unwell but depression has a way of making you second-guess yourself and so I told myself that my illness wasn’t a good enough reason not to fast. Not eating and staying up until the early hours of the morning for suhoor (the predawn meal) exacerbated my symptoms and by the end of the month I was in a much worse state than I had been to begin with. My experience had been so difficult that I began associating Ramadan with the feeling of utter hopelessness.

As Ramadan drew near every year, the now familiar sense of dread would creep up, along with the guilt of not experiencing the joy that everyone else appeared to be feeling. I felt so alone in my pain. I couldn’t speak to anyone about it for fear of being told that I was only finding it hard to fast because my faith wasn’t strong enough.

The stigma surrounding mental illness within the South Asian community and society at large meant that these subjects were so rarely discussed. I imagine that an open dialogue within the community would have helped to relieve those feelings of guilt immensely.

Islamically, there are a number of exceptions when it comes to the obligation of fasting. People who are pregnant, nursing, or on their periods are not obligated to fast, as well as those who are travelling. Additionally, fasting is not required of anyone who is too unwell to do so. Most people are able to recognise physical illnesses as a valid reason not to fast but unfortunately there can be a lack of understanding and empathy when it comes to mental health issues.

Thankfully, over the last few years, we’ve seen an increased awareness in the Muslim community through people sharing their own experiences, particularly in relation to eating disorders. Ramadan can be a major relapse trigger for anyone struggling with disordered eating.

With hindsight and a greater sense of self-awareness, I’m better able to decide whether or not to fast depending on my mental health.

Here is some advice I wish I had been given during my first year tackling Ramadan with a mental illness:

1. Your mental health is not a reflection of your faith.
2. Mental illness is just as valid a reason not to fast as physical illness.
3. Trust your own judgement when making the decision of whether or not to fast.
4. If you are unable to fast, you can build on your spirituality through other means, such as charity, meditative prayer and recitation or study of the Quran.
5. Not being able to fast due to a health condition does not make you any less of a Muslim.

This year has been the first since my diagnosis of depression where I’ve been able to fast consistently and healthily. The peace I feel now from fasting is worlds apart from the tearfulness and angst I'd come to associate with Ramadan seven years ago. I finally feel the connectedness and increased spirituality that comes with the mindfulness and introspection of a healthy fast. This month has been proof to me that it does get better, but I won't take it for granted; I know myself well enough to know that if my symptoms start to display again, the option to not fast is there for me.

If you are Muslim, you can contact the Muslim Youth Helpline for dedicated mental health support. Their helpline is open seven days a week.