On mental illness, diabetes and fasting for the holidays

Sorry I didn’t post on this topic in time for Yom Kippur, especially because my family was Jewish and I probably should have realized it was coming, but I figure at least I can provide information for our Muslim people who have mental illness and are observing Ramadan.

I found an article that includes guidelines as to which people who have diabetes should fast, and addresses issues related to taking medication. Because people who live with mental illness are more likely to have diabetes than people in the general population, I thought the story would be helpful.

I also spoke to the executive director of the Islamic Society of North America for information about taking psychotropic medications during the holiday. The director, Louay Safi, said that people who can take their meds between sunset and dawn, when fasting stops, should do so. If you regularly take meds during the day, Safi said, you should consult your doctor about the potential effects of altering your regimen during the holiday. Ultimately, however, the mental health consumer, if capable, should decide whether to break the fast by taking meds, Safi said. Forcing that person to take meds interferes with his or her observance of the holiday, he added.

I couldn’t find anything on the Web on the topic of taking psychotropic meds during the fast, but here are some links related to diabetes:

Diabetes and fasting on Ramadan

Bipolar Disorder and schizophrenia and diabetes

Depression and diabetes

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse

posted by Daniele Sadres