Working in the Adult Industry with Anxiety
"I feel like a different person online, and I love it."
May 2 2017 35 comments 2,926 33
Hello everyone!
I've been working in the adult industry as a camgirl and an MV girl since October 2016, so roughly 6-7 months. I entered the industry because of money issues- I had a job but I was barely making enough to cover my rent, let alone food and bills. I decided this would be the best way to support myself but the one thought at the back of my mind was my mental health problems. I've had severe anxiety since the age of 8/9, and despite varying medication it has always fluctuated between being managable and completely unbearable. I was seriously concerned. Some days I could barely leave the house, so how on earth was I going to get naked in front of hundreds of strangers?
I worried myself sick for days on end whilst my application was approved for MFC and I was creating my ManyVids profile. I would get night sweats, wake up needing to be sick, constant shakes, and terrible tummy cramps. After my application was approved, I was a nervous wreck for about three days before I finally signed on.
And you know what? I was fine. Absolutley wonderful actually, to quote a member who watched me on my first day. Camming and creating videos gave me the space to become someone I so desperatly wanted to be, but had no confidence to be in real life. I feel like a different person online, and I love it. Working within the adult industry has given my self esteem such a boost, and I'm so much more confident now than I was beforehand.
My advice for any of you out there with mental health issues who either want to start working in this field, or already are and need some support; don't be afraid to go for it, and to take days off. My biggest mistake was pushing myself when I needed a day off. You work so much better when you've taken time to recuperate.
Thank you everyone who has supported me in anyway since I started!
Peaches xxxx
Thanks so much for this post. Crippling anxiety and very nervous to go live. I definitely needed this.
A relief to read from another model
I needed to hear this
I have the worst anxiety but really want to start camming again, this motivates me!!
You go girl!
thanks girl! i think i needed to hear this
You're amazing! Thank you for being brave and sharing. I can relate for sure.. and I appreciate the advice. Get it girllllllllllllll!
Wow I really relate to this article so much. I actually started camming because I had to quite my job because of anxiety. I couldn't leave the house because it got so bad so I wasn't able to work. camming has really changed my life.
I developed depression/anxiety around the same age as you, and working from the comfort of my own home is amazing!
Same!
Awesome!
I have a list of mental disorders, and I think it's very brace of you to post on here. I was always wanting to post about something related to this subject but I guess you beat me too it.
Keep up he good work and don't be afraid to make friends with other cam girls! Im here if you need to chat.
xxx
I hank you for sharing
You're more than welcome xxx
Great article dear!
Thank you! xxx
Beautifully put x
I'm glad you enjoyed it xxx
Thank you for sharing this! Anxiety is so strange and you can never guess what will make it worse or better. Working online can be stressful, but it's also helped my confidence levels amazingly and given me a much needed boost. I'm still pretty hopeless at taking time off when I need it though! So that's good advice.
I never cam on weekends, and try and take off half a day (like today) to do admin work, to give me a break! xxx
That's a really good plan. I think having a strict system is the best way. I need to make rules for myself about when I work or I don't stop. Xxx
Thank you for this. I have crazy anxiety too I watched other girls cams for like a week freaking out on what to do and how I could possibly do this but my fiance even said once I hit the broadcast button I was a natural. I'm so shy and nervous in person never put myself out in situations but camming definitely helps bring me out.
Congratulations to you for being able to better yourself
I'm glad you read my article- it's always nice to know you're not on your own with things! My best advice is we are all individual; there will always be someone who loves you for you xx
Love this!! I'm also incredibly shy and anxious in "real life" but I love the work I do on here.
Same, nights out I'm normally the quiet one but now I'm so loud and bubbly! xxx
❤❤❤ Love this article and community.
It's so nice to know you're not the only one out there, which is why I wrote it! Thank you for reading xx
Adult content especially camming helped me with my anxiety! It also, embarrassingly, made me more confident in my body. And a LOT more confident in the bedroom. It may not work for everyone but it worked for me! Great relatable article!
Same! I'm so much more confident now. I hardly have panic attacks anymore either xxx
Love this article!!!
thank you! xx