Anyone who has fasted before, be it for a day or a month, can understand the physical and mental struggle that accompanies it. However, individuals who have eating disorders have to face an additional struggle of their own. Fasting during the period of Ramadan poses a host of struggle for individuals either with eating disorders or in recovery.
When the number of clients, presenting with eating disorders, began to increase during the month of Ramadan and afterwards, the researchers and practitioners at a mental health clinic in Turkey decided to find out if there was a link between eating disorders and fasting. The results of their study suggested that fasting and participating in Ramadan did not cause an eating disorder to develop but that this period of time can act as a trigger for individuals who are especially vulnerable to developing an eating disorder.
It can also be a risk for those who are currently recovering; resulting in relapse.
The development of a full eating disorder can be fast-forwarded for individuals who are already at risk due to the restriction on eating food and drinking water. People who are in the process of recovering from an existing eating disorder can be triggered by the lack of nutrition and be mentally pulled back into a time in their life where they had stopped themselves from eating and drinking.
It is difficult for the body and mind of an individual with an eating disorder to be in a state of fasting. The presence and pressure of suddenly needing to binge-eat at iftar, in order to break the fast, may overwhelm an anorexic person. Similarly, the feeling of overwhelm may come to a bulimic person when suddenly they have a very full stomach. This culturally accepted process of binge eating at iftar often triggers a purging response and compels individuals to expedite the removal of the food in their stomachs, either by throwing up or on the contrary eating extremely small amounts of food in the first place.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses and individuals who have eating disorders or are recovering should be careful in making any decision to fast. Even though fasting during Ramadan is an obligation for Muslims, individuals who are sick or have a health condition are exempt. Individuals can also consider participating in Ramadan through other means, such as involvement in charity, extra prayers, servicing the community, etc. It may be a good idea to consult with a physician, psychologist, or a religious leader for professional opinion and guidance.
It is very important to remember that religious or non-religious fasting does not cause or trigger an eating disorder in individuals who are not already at risk or vulnerable to developing the condition. It is crucial to consider factors that would make an individual have a predisposition to eating disorders, such as genetics, personality traits, self-esteem or body image consciousness, and depression and anxiety.
Next week, we’ll be taking a closer look at the most common eating disorders, their symptoms, and some of the reasons why individuals may develop eating disorders.
