Dubai-based German psychiatrist says Ramadan helps mental wellbeing

Dr Arne Brosig of German Center for Neurology and Psychiatry (GNP) in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) explained that the fall in patient numbers is clearly a result of Ramadan.

He said: "The mental health effects gained by those practising Ramadan is a wonderful extra benefit for all those taking part in the prayers, rituals and cultural experiences involved.

"This is my first experience of Ramadan, having only opened doors in Dubai this year, but I have observed a distinct upturn in the psychological wellbeing of patients as they spend more time with their own thoughts and their family members. It's also well documented in medical science that time spent praying or meditating can often help improve overall mental conditions.

"Fortunately we at GNP are still staying in business during Ramadan, with neurological cases such as migraine or painful neuropathy, but the number of psychiatric patients has dropped significantly, which is indeed a good sign for the wellbeing of Dubai's citizens during the holy month."

Brosig added: "Ramadan gives many people a break from set work routines and provides us with a rare opportunity to think about ourselves, our future and our families. This mental break can help us to temporarily set aside many worries and stress factors, which are major causes of psychological ill health.

"Some aspects of Ramadan have similar psychological effects used in modern psychology, psychiatry or psychosomatic medicine. For instance, psychological terms such as 'time management' are encountered by the fact that people breach their everyday routine during this month by working less, keeping fixed hours of prayers and by deliberately devoting more time after sundown to their families and friends. In many cases work, which can often become the focus of people's lives, takes a back seat.

"The ritual of fasting and the subsequent mutual breach of fasting, lftar, encounters among other things the psychological effect of 'emotional realisation', where banal things such as eating regain importance.

"People's mental health is strengthened by the 'intentional concentration' during this time on family and friends. Rediscovering the importance of simple things and not letting themselves be diverted by outward temptations is one of the elements of Ramadan. Ramadan also generates a positive psychodynamic effect as actions become more thoughtful and less aggression tends to be generated or experienced.

"On the whole, the month of Ramadan gives everyone the psychological chance to take a step back and analyse their lives and often reconsider their priorities."

"The powerful experience of fasting not only helps many individuals reflect upon the condition of those in this world who may not be as fortunate, but also makes people change the entire course of their daily life, giving them the chance to focus their minds upon different things. During the month of Ramadan, many Muslims try to avoid spending as much time on leisure and entertainment activities, affording more time and energy to be spent on positive activities such as academics, intense study of Islam, prayers, social and humanitarian causes and quality family time, which all bode well for a healthy mind." said Brosig.