The ninth month of the Muslim Calendar, known as Ramadan, is considered one of the most sacred months of the year in Islam. While it is a time for prayer, reflection, and community, restriction around food due to the nature of fasting can trigger those who struggle or have struggled with mental health conditions, including (but not limited to) bipolar disorder, depression, and eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder.

In a recent talk we hosted, “Two sides to an eating disorder”, our panellists, Nels and Nicole Friets, shared about their caregiver-patient and father-daughter relationship that was central to Nicole’s recovery from anorexia. In this article, Heather shares some of her takeaways from the talk.