I found this very interesting because I believe that quilting (or any other craft for that matter) is therapy, but maybe for slightly different reasons than yours.
I too have suffered from depression several times over my life. When my husband was suffering with cancer I was a beadworker (still am on occasion – I had not discovered quilting then!) and had been attending a regular class. When he was well enough, my husband would almost push me out of the door to go to my class – simply because he could see that the two hours I spent there took my mind away from what we were living through. When I thought it through, I came to the conclusion that, if you are concentrating on making something, you cannot be concentrating on your troubles, whatever they are. Crafting kept me sane after he died.
I know that I am not good at sitting doing nothing – indeed it can make anxiety set in. If I get to that stage (as I did the other week – I had been trying to set up the craft room and had been telling myself I didn’t have room for sewing) I MUST sew. It doesn’t matter what it is – hand or machine, patchwork or wholecloth – but I need to do something. So I set up a folding table in my lounge (I live on my own so don’t have to worry about getting in anyone else’s way!) and pieced a throw together. I just need to quilt it now!
We all do what we need to do. Happy quilting and thank you for sharing. xx

I do love these ideas. I have never had a go at ‘Beading’ but will have a go one some little gift bags. Thank you for the ideas.

I love Abbie Searle’s Mystery Quilt .. a BOM with a secret .. that’s availabe in our online shop and one I am taking part in. Waiting each month for the surprise to arrive is something to look forward to. All in all I think it’s worth the investment, either BOM or Mystery, and even after only one block I have learnt so much from it too.