Benefits of Crochet for Ten Symptoms of Depression
Crafting to heal + 5 more beautiful, colorful crochet mandalas to raise awareness about depression survival
This post was originally written back in ~2015 for About.com Crochet which became The Spruce, where I was the crochet column expert for several years. I am re-sharing it here today along with five more contributions from the Mandalas for Marinke project that I’m revisiting this year to continue to raise awareness about depression, suicide, and crafting to heal.
I am a depression survivor. I have gone through bouts of almost-fatal depression. I live with the symptoms of depression almost every day, although they are lessened now that I've learned how to handle them. Crochet has been a key part of my ongoing self-care plan, and I wanted to share with you today some things I've learned about how crafting can help with the symptoms of depression.
Before we begin, though, I want to remind you that depression is a serious medical condition. My depression certainly isn't helped by crochet alone. If you are in a bad space make sure that you reach out and ask for help - from a friend, a doctor or someone else in your support system. Crochet is a wonderful, wonderful part of the healing process for me but it's not a cure-all. With that in mind, here is how crochet does help:
1. Guilt/ worthlessness
This is a big symptom of depression that comes up for me, even after years of therapy and working through those feelings. Crochet helps to rebuild self-esteem. You are doing something productive and creative, adding to the world in some small way. If you can focus on that aspect of crochet then it can really help to battle those feelings of "not good enough".
2. Pessimism / hopelessness
I find that crochet helps because it interrupts the ruminating of the mind. The repetitive negative thought cycles that my brain can spin get interrupted by the calming counting
of stitches and eventually the thoughts that are leading to these feelings fade away and the feelings begin to dissipate.
3.Difficulty concentrating
That counting of stitches can help bring the mind back to focus on the single task at hand. This feeling can be a big relief during times of depression when you don't have the power to concentrate on other favorite activities (such as reading). I've also found that it can be easier to concentrate on other things (like a class lecture, for example) when the hands are busy crocheting a repetitive stitch.
4.Insomnia
This is a big one for me. I experience nighttime insomnia as well as early-morning waking. Some people have reported that crocheting helps them to calm down enough to sleep. Although on occasion that's been true for me, what's more helpful is that crochet is something I can do quietly in the home in those midnight hours.
5. Fatigue
Well, the crochet doesn't really help with the fatigue ... but what it does do is offers an activity that I can still do even though my energy levels are so low. I feel a lot better when I'm doing something, even if that something is simply making a scarf.
6. Irritability
Depression can make people really cranky. It helps to be able to work out some of that frustration in a hands-on project. Crochet can also help you to calm down so that you can see situations more clearly and not respond with irrational irritability.
7. Overeating
Some people find that depression causes overeating. Oftentimes, the individual is self-smoothing with food. You can self-soothe with yarn. Indulge in the best textures and really enjoy the projects you're working on. If your hands are busy hooking, you may be able to convince yourself to snack less.
8. Indecision
It's so hard to make decisions when you're depressed. Every single decision seems like it will have massive ramifications and you get frozen. You can practice your decision-making skills with crochet, where the worst thing that can happen is you'll end up with a project you don't like. It's a safe place to play with decision-making. Focus on how to make each decision - choosing a project, selecting the yarn, etc. Congratulate yourself for each decision made. This reminds you that you can indeed make decisions.
9. Loss of Interest
For me, crochet was a new hobby that I took up in the depths of depression. I didn't like anything that I used to like. I was disinterested in every other hobby that I tried. Crochet was something that captured my interest, and I believe that there are reasons it can do that during depressive periods. It's a simple hobby that doesn't require leaving the house, dealing with people or exerting a lot of energy. And it's pleasing to the senses with all of those yarn colors and textures. It won't immediately renew your interest in other things but it can be something to take interest in as you work through the depression.
10. Restlessness and Anxiety
People with depression often also suffer from bouts of anxiety (related sometimes to the irritability and indecision mentioned above). Crochet is a rhythmic, soothing activity that can help bring the body back down to a regulated state.
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"10. Restlessness and Anxiety
People with depression often also suffer from bouts of anxiety (related sometimes to the irritability and indecision mentioned above). Crochet is a rhythmic, soothing activity that can help bring the body back down to a regulated state."