Crafting -- How metalworking helped me with my Anxiety Disorder
Just as the title says. I struggled with terrible anxiety for many years, panic attacks several times a day and constant trembling. I thought picking up a hobby might help me "distract" myself.
I got on Youtube and was randomly led to a chainmaile bracelet tutorial. I thought, 'That's pretty impossible, but there are steps and I have all of the tools.' I'm very inattentive and struggle with focusing, as well, but when there are clearly defined steps I can succeed. So, I followed said steps and eventually I got ETSY-good at making maile. End of story.
Go on Youtube or Instructables and find your hobby today!
(edited titled by @fluffyunicorns84 - changed cure to help with ...... due to discussion afterwards)
I am an avid jewelry maker, metal worker, and full on arts and crafts lover! I paint, craft, journal, knit. It's all fun to me! Not to mention being that involved in something leaves little room for anxiety. You're able to focus and poor yourself into something healthy and productive. I'm happy that you have found pleasure in this craft as well! It is truly a gift.
@wanderlustLo
You certainly are a "one-woman show." Quite impressive. I do honestly believe that. When you pour yourself into a task it's difficult to see much else. : )
@wanderlustLo I would love to see some photos of your crafty creations within Arts & Craft thread :)
Do you use art work in your journals or just words? It is something im interested in getting involved with...
@wanderlustLo
Making jewelry is so cool! I havent ever made anything successfully, but I have a friend who does it and they always turn out amazing. I am so happy you have found pleasure in doing this hobby. Hang in there!
So you distracted yourself, not cured yourself.
@Planet While I suppose I agree, distractions are not bad. Distractions like this give you space to develop other positive skills and relationships. For example, people with social anxiety might develop a skill like this as a distraction, and then begin to talk with people about their craft, and through talking with people in a comfortable environment begin to break through their social anxiety. No idea if that's what's going on with the OP, but regardless it seems like a positive step.
@Planet
Good concern. Actually, it was a Band-aid for a while. But I eventually worked through it. However, I think it was situational, the anxiety. See, said anxiety was coming from home so the crafting helped when I was temporarily absent of it. When I moved away for college, the anxiety was still there but had lessened. With the combination of crafting and the removal of the hostile environment, I had the time to learn coping methods and to distract myself from lingering anxiety, simultaneously. I was free from my chronic anxiety for many years. Until now, but it is situational again.
@MrAleczander
I am glad it lessened, it's something 
I think it also differs on the type of anxiety. @ShawnL mentioned how this can help Social anxiety and I think it's a good idea.
I'm a teen and I have no idea how I can start my own thing, I guess I will have to wait until I am more independent, with where I live at least.
What do you mean by starting your own "thing?" If you don't mind me asking.
@MrAleczander
Oh, I meant finding the craft that I like to do and start doing it in a way that I would benefit from, mentally and skill-wise.
@Planet
In my opinion, being a teen *can* be the best time to start. What are topics that interest you? We can brainstorm (if you'd like).
Assuming you have the means, if you're living at home you don't have to pay for housing, utilities, or food. If you're a suburbs kid (jobless or not), when it comes to making the necessary purchases for the supplies needed for your hobby, your parents *might* just buy them for you. Same goes for joining a sport or art class. When I was a teen I used my brother's work tools and my mother bought me my metal links. But disposable cash isn't a universal option.
Hey @Planet, I think the takeaway here is that it doesn't even matter what your thing is. Just look around YouTube, find something that's looks cool to you, find some instructional videos on how to do it, and then get started! You don't have to show it to anyone, but it might be something to be really proud of.
What exactly would you say the difference is? If you aren't anxious than anxiety clearly is no longer a problem. So yes a distraction is help. A full time distraction means you rarely ever feel anxiety. And if someone says they have cured their anxiety you might as well believe them, they know a little more about their problems than you do! ;)
@wanderlustLo
It's a coping mechanism to distract oneself, but it isn't exactly a cure if there's a chance to be anxious again, it sounded to me as if it's an avoidance method, but since there is little to do when it comes to mental health, everything is help nonetheless.
Anxiety is in many forms, some are chronic and stem from other issues such as depression.
Anything that distracts one from anxiety is like a cure. No matter how you like to look at it. What do you think breathing exercises and meditation do? Calm, relax, renew. Same with crafting or any other healthy distraction. Why are you so insistent to correct someone who feels they are doing well? That's extremely negative.
@wanderlustLo
We seem to have a different interpretation of what cure means, but I'm okay if you see it could help that way.
I mentioned above I was glad that things were getting better, and that the anxiety lessened for OP(Original Poster), my main post is trying to understand rather than correct, there is little to know when it comes to mental health when you compare it to physical health so there is not much room for one to correct others really.
I am a negative person in some ways, though it is not my intention. Feel free to report me.
@Planet
There's no need for reporting. You're just looking for clarification. I get that. I like that the title was changed to "hobbies as a therapy" because hobbies won't be a cure for everyone, just a therapy. People still need to work on "them" alongside it. So, that was my own mistake in my original rant.
I'm a negative person, as well. There's nothing innately wrong with feeling as we do. I'm sorry you felt targeted.
@Planet
Technically, I think you're probably pretty close to being correct. A hobby like this is not a cure, but it can help move oneself TOWARDS a cure, if one exists.
But I was wondering if you could clarify something that you said a couple times. You say "there is little to know / to do about mental health". Just wondering what you mean by that. And perhaps I can help shed some light about mental health. Thanks!
@Planet
Distractions are actually a coping skill technique. The more we distract ourselves the better we feel. If we don't distract ourselves, we can stay upset for very long durations. :)
That's awesome! I remember working at the Renaissance Faire and always wanting one of the chainmail pieces. Really great that you both helped distract yourself from your issues and picked up a great skill at the same time!
@MrAleczander Thank you so much for this post, I also found great benefit from finding crafts... it distracted me enough to give me break from all the negative thoughts which then helped with the depression & anxiety. It is great that you able get onto ETSY with your things.... that is a goal for me for future or another online selling platform.
@fluffyUnicorns84
I loved this post! Mainly because when we have future goals, we are setting ourselves up to meet those goals and obtain happiness when we reach completion. Hang in there :) What kinds of crafts do you enjoy?
I've also taken up a similar hobby, I however make miniatures! It's sort of weird being the only 13 year old girl that still has all of those small objects but it truly does help! I've noticed my anxiety go down and it's also a good way to get any creative ideas out!
