Mental Health Complaints Surge 27 Percent During Third Week of Ramadan
Health complaint trends throughout Ramadan demonstrate significant dynamics. The latest data from the Halodoc health services platform records a marked shift in health complaint focus, with mental health problems surging sharply as the third week of fasting approaches.
Chief Marketing Officer of Halodoc, Fibriyani Elastria, revealed that at the beginning of Ramadan, people generally reported physical disturbances due to dietary pattern adjustment. However, this situation changed drastically as Eid approached.
“The complaints that increasingly rise from week to week relate to mental health. The peak occurs in the third week, increasing over 27 percent compared to before Ramadan,” said Fibriyani on Wednesday (11 March).
Fibriyani explained that the complaints that emerge are quite varied, ranging from sleep disturbances, excessive anxiety, heart palpitations, to shortness of breath.
Based on Halodoc’s data analysis, the primary trigger for this anxiety is not solely physical factors, but rather social pressure.
Approximately 58 percent of anxiety triggers stem from conflict or pressure within the family. These factors include expectations regarding marriage, having children, economic conditions, and heightened interpersonal dynamics among family members approaching Eid.
Additionally, accumulated physical exhaustion during three weeks of fasting and changes in sleep patterns further worsen a person’s psychological condition.
The connection between mental and physical conditions was also emphasised by Halodoc partner Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr Waluyo Dwi Cahyono, SpPD-KEMD, FINASIM.
According to him, poorly managed stress can manifest in digestive disorders. “The cortisol hormone increases when a person experiences stress. This can trigger increased gastric acid production and cause digestive disturbances,” said the doctor who graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Gadjah Mada University.
To help people detect health complaints earlier, Halodoc is optimising a digital assistant based on artificial intelligence called Hilda (Halodoc Intelligence Digital Assistant). This feature is designed to help users navigate early symptoms and determine the next medical steps, including when it is appropriate to consult with a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Closing her statement, Fibriyani emphasised the importance of awareness in maintaining mental health as part of preparation for welcoming Eid. She urged the public to be more sensitive to signs of anxiety and not hesitate to seek professional help if complaints begin to interfere with daily activities.