Crocheting Through Depression

[Pixieglitter]

I used to think that I was the only one that had to fight depression because of fibro, rheumatoid arthritis, osteo arthritis. There are too many little side illnesses to list that come with fibro. My two daughters were diagnosed with fibro before me. Both have rheumatoid arthritis, also. I am now recovering from an ankle replacement, and I wish I had it done months ago. It feels better that it did years ago. My who right side hurts. I had rotator cuff surgery done years ago by the Cleveland Indians team surgeon. It is now retorn, It is because of the RA. I give myself injections, but it is so sever it doesn't help much. I finally have my depression under control with meds and a wonderful counselor who has a therapy dog. Animals and my crochet and other hobbies have been my sanity. Of course, so is my family. My wonderful, wonderful family. God love them. And, of course, finding CT. Thank you, Ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs and Love,

Judy







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Sweet Judy, gosh you're dealing with a lot of physical pain. I'm so sorry you have to go through all this. I don't have the physical issues like you do. I've battled depression since I was a child. I remember when I was really little, and feeling so very sad. After I went to my first funeral at age 32, I realized that was how I felt all of the time. Just sad and hopeless. I've also been through a lot of trauma in my life. Luckily, I have wonderful doctors and a fantastic long-time counselor. I'm on a combination of 3 different meds to treat my severe depression. The meds help me to live in a world of color, instead of black and white. I have Bipolar II, which means I don't have manic episodes. It just causes deep depression. Not very many people are familiar with Bipolar II. But the meds help me tremendously!

Hugs,
Shelley

[Susan2014]

Judy, Read your message and wishing a person can do more to help! Glad you have a counselor & Family. God Bless. Love to hear about your crafts you do when time. Happy FALL!!

Susan2014

[gigipat]

This is my first response to a discussion on this site and not sure what I'm doing. However, "crocheting as therapy" really strikes a chord with me, as I've been doing it for 15 yrs now, since my husband of 45 yrs passed away suddenly. Eight months later my mother passed away and 2 months after her, my 23 yr old grandson died of leukemia. All of this in a 10 mo. time span put me in a deep depression. For some reason, I turned to crocheting which, until then, was just something my grandmother taught me many yrs before. Now there's almost never a day that I don't pick up a project. I've made everything from pot holders to pirate ships. Having 27 grandchildren means a whole lot of toys over the years and I enjoy the fact that I can make something they can't buy in stores.
I've told people many times that crocheting is therapy for me and I'm so glad to find that it helps others as well. There was a time when I didn't want to live but now,crazy as it sounds, I need to live long enough to make a fraction of the patterns I have collected. Also need to whittle down my mountain of yarn.
Thanks to all of you who shared your stories of crochet as therapy - helps to know there are others with my addiction.

Pat

[Jean Marie]

This is my first response to a discussion on this site and not sure what I'm doing. However, "crocheting as therapy" really strikes a chord with me, as I've been doing it for 15 yrs now, since my husband of 45 yrs passed away suddenly. Eight months later my mother passed away and 2 months after her, my 23 yr old grandson died of leukemia. All of this in a 10 mo. time span put me in a deep depression. For some reason, I turned to crocheting which, until then, was just something my grandmother taught me many yrs before. Now there's almost never a day that I don't pick up a project. I've made everything from pot holders to pirate ships. Having 27 grandchildren means a whole lot of toys over the years and I enjoy the fact that I can make something they can't buy in stores.
I've told people many times that crocheting is therapy for me and I'm so glad to find that it helps others as well. There was a time when I didn't want to live but now,crazy as it sounds, I need to live long enough to make a fraction of the patterns I have collected. Also need to whittle down my mountain of yarn.
Thanks to all of you who shared your stories of crochet as therapy - helps to know there are others with my addiction.

Pat

Hi Pat,
I'm glad crocheting helps you. I'd like to see a picture of your pirate ship. Did you crochet it?
Jean Marie

[gigipat]

Hi Jean Marie,
I did crochet the ship - it was for my grandson's birthday. I'm trying to figure out how to attach a picture here and not sure how to do it. If it doesn't come out right maybe someone can tell me how to do it.
Pat

[Jean Marie]

very cute. good job Gigipat. It must've taken quite a while to do.
Jean Marie

[AdaBusyBee]

gigipat, fantastic creation! You put so much work with an outstanding result. Hugs! Ada

[gigipat]

Thanks Ada. I love making things for kids -they are always so thrilled. My grandkids kind of think I can make anything.
Pat

[DonnaB]

This is my first response to a discussion on this site and not sure what I'm doing. However, "crocheting as therapy" really strikes a chord with me, as I've been doing it for 15 yrs now, since my husband of 45 yrs passed away suddenly. Eight months later my mother passed away and 2 months after her, my 23 yr old grandson died of leukemia. All of this in a 10 mo. time span put me in a deep depression. For some reason, I turned to crocheting which, until then, was just something my grandmother taught me many yrs before. Now there's almost never a day that I don't pick up a project. I've made everything from pot holders to pirate ships. Having 27 grandchildren means a whole lot of toys over the years and I enjoy the fact that I can make something they can't buy in stores.
I've told people many times that crocheting is therapy for me and I'm so glad to find that it helps others as well. There was a time when I didn't want to live but now,crazy as it sounds, I need to live long enough to make a fraction of the patterns I have collected. Also need to whittle down my mountain of yarn.
Thanks to all of you who shared your stories of crochet as therapy - helps to know there are others with my addiction.

Pat

Hi Pat, You definitely have many things to live for. You had way too much loss at one time. That is enough to put the strongest of us into depression. As you can see, we all seem to turn to the same thing for relief. As Shelley posted the other day, there are studies supporting the concept that crafting helps to deal with depression. I always have a few projects going. The tough ones I save for my "blue" days. If I need to really concentrate on my work at hand I'll forget for a while and usually that's all I need to change my mood.

Blessings, Donna