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blueroo
07-31-2012, 06:20 PM
Oh, hehe, see, I always wanted to be the girl who could just walk in, not give a damn, be a minx and make money off her personality and not her crazed hustle :) So grass is always greener I suppose!!

Yeah camming is a totally different world. I feel like I learned a lot from camming that could apply to stripping, and vice versa, but they are totally different animals for sure.

Ahhh ok, I figured you were on MFC--I cannot do that one!! I want to once I make a pretty profile, get a handle on my anxiety, and have extra time/energy to be PATIENT and just chill and not worry about hustling right away. I tried that and it FAILED MISERABLY. Plus all the noise/IMs/everything just made my ADD go nuts, I was not focused at all...

xPeeps sounds nice, I might give it a shot one day here. I dunno if there's a good fetish crowd but I could always do my own unique shows and see what happens. Is that the site with the Real Touch thingie device available? That is a freaky idea.

If you got no token guys to purchase some that's awesome :) Always a tough feat to convert someone into a paying customer if they're a lurker/freeloader.

Good luck doll xoxo :) Do you not drive either? I'm re-learning it's been so long... got my permit again, hahahaha.... Yeah they come in a slim slender can in the fridge section with the drinks (like vitamin water etc) OR in glass bottles. The black tea is yummy but calorie-rific. The green tea has less calories and the lemonade one is stevia based. I'm on a diet, yerghhh!

You are super welcome. I hope I helped some at least. Pick away :D I don't know a damned thing about MFC but I do know about fetish stuff, Domme work, and lots of random tidbits I've gathered. I hope camming keeps going well for you and the trolls stay the hell away!!

cvarga
07-31-2012, 07:23 PM
Sam-E (s-adenosylmethionine) is what I used to use for mood. Now that I am older I have switched to EstroNatural which is a supplement of vitamins, minerals (and some herbal extracts) that many women are missing and don't even realize it.

The other thing I have recently learned is food allergies (esp dairy and grains) can reek havoc on your moods, especially if you are experiencing a hormone shift which is something all women experience no matter what age.

Classy_Katy
08-01-2012, 12:27 PM
A low carb and unrefined diet really does help.

MissEgo
08-08-2012, 11:26 AM
I'm supposed to go out with my neighbour today to do a couple errands. I have to go to my po box and pick up my presents from my guys, and she has to get her oil changed. No big deal right?
So WHY am I freaking out about this!? She texted me saying she's going to jump in the shower and then we can go, and I immediately started to panic. Now I'm all nauseous and my stomach is all twisty and I feel super sick. Already knocking back the pepto bismol. I'm almost positive I have anxiety-related IBS. Ew, TMI, sorry.
I have no idea how to calm myself down in like... the next ten minutes... ugh this is so bad.

vivianbear
08-08-2012, 11:40 AM
^^
Girl, I have been there. I've had crying fits just minutes before friends are scheduled to see me. Its just a really bad byproduct of my anxiety/depression, these days. I'll just let myself cry it out and get through getting ready. Try splashing some water on your face and breathing through it while you get yourself dressed. You can do it; remember your friend WANTS to see you and you can totally leave the house and get stuff done and have a great day doing it.

I've been on meds for anxiety/depression for a few months and I'm finally snapping out of the worst of it, to work on a normal schedule again. Its harder on days like today where there hasn't been ANY money on my regular site. I was on cam for about an hour and a half and made just over $7. I tend to run out of energy really fast and sort of backslide into negative thinking when I should just give it a rest and focus my attention on something else. I'm going to try to do some chores and maybe get back on in like, 20 minutes.

SweetAlexis
08-08-2012, 02:05 PM
You girls all had me in tears! I wish I could give you all a giant hug. I can relate so much. I can't get a "normal" job and wasn't able to finish college due to my extreme anxiety. My anxiety started a couple years after I found out I had a disorder which causes extreme dizziness, nausea, headaches, exhaustion and a lot of other fun symptoms pretty much about 75% of the time. My anxiety was caused by my disorder but I had a pretty messed up childhood and am thinking that maybe all the stuff that happened to me is just now rearing its ugly head. Can't wait to be able to afford to see a psychologist (if I can manage to go through with it).

I can't drive hardly anywhere. I get ridiculously nervous in public and have lost most of my "friends". My husband gets frustrated with me not being able to drive myself places. I hate being dependent on him. I feel like I have completely lost my independence. I have a hard time with medications. The only one I've been able to tolerate is Valium. My husband got sent off to work 1,000 miles away from where we live for a few months so I went with him. Change is the worst for me! I sedated myself with lots of Valium for the drive here and a few days afterwards. Freaking out because tomorrow I have to drop my husband off at work and drive my car to get it repaired. It's only about 4 miles away but I'm already panicking like crazy!

MissEgo - I hope you were able to manage well today! When my anxiety kicks in I get super nauseated. Hope your stomach stayed in check!

CalliopeQuinn
08-08-2012, 03:31 PM
Oh, MissEgo and SweetAlexis, I've been there too! I consider myself to be so very very lucky for my therapist, who i love. It took me several YEARS of being in treatment before i found her, but it has made so much difference. I used to have panic attacks multiple times a day, but i've gotten so in touch with it that i've even become politically active, which was always really scary to me. (Dad was a very politically opinionated bully who liked to use difference of opinion as an excuse to attack.) I try to acknowledge what what i'm feeling...like.... "I have goosebumps, but its not cold." or "I want to puke." or "I can't get a regular sized breath in". For a couple of minutes, i just sit there trying to be in touch with the physical symptoms i'm feeling...without judging them as good or bad. They just are, and i am just taking notice of them. After a couple of minutes, i lose that extra layer of "and because i'm freaking out, i'm now even worse" that makes things so exponentially harder when you get sucked into the spiral. So then i'm just sitting there, taking note of the strange feeling in my stomach, but trying very hard to make sure it stays as "the strange feeling" instead of "the bad feeling". It helps me a lot to focus consciously on making things neutral in my own brain. *I am the master of my body and my life, and therefore i am the only one who has any right or need to judge it.* Then i try to apply that to what is happening to me. Is it improving my life or my outlook to be sidelined by a stomach ache? I try to answer it to myself honestly. Are the things the i am trying to avoid by "giving in" to my wonky physical feelings worth avoiding? What do I WANT? Usually when i start confronting my anxiety with logic rather than emotion it just becomes much more manageable. It doesn't "go away" exactly. I still feel the physical sensations of panic, but i am much more able to separate what i am feeling with what i AM. And at least for me, that makes almost all of it tolerable. I'm usually able to get through what i HAVE TO get through, and it helps me realize that some things i have a choice about.....which helps me feel more in control and better over all. Sorry I've rambled on so much describing a kind of complicated mental gymnastics... it really does help me, and it gets easier and less complicated every time.

If it makes you feel any better....i don't drive either, but here's the kicker: I choose not to drive much because the anxiety it creates is difficult to manage, but when i need to, i am able to do things i don't like. It is scary, but helps so much to slightly tweak your thought processes until your anxiety has to meet your standards rather than the other way around.

One other note about meds....anti depressants did very little for me. A couple years ago, my shrink told me i was a perfect candidate for the new prescribing guidelines for anti-psychotics, which have now been FDA approved for treating depression with a high anxiety component. OMG. Night and Day. They prescribe it at much lower dosages for depression than they do for psychosis, which in my case makes it cheap.....and if it weren't already perfect for camming...the anti-psychotics make by boobs a whole cup size bigger! The FDA only approved it a year or two ago, so a lot of GP's don't know the first thing about it. You'll need to find a real psychiatrist to play around with psych meds.

LOL....i spend more on meds and therapy than i do on rent....but its important to me.

MissEgo
08-08-2012, 08:13 PM
Thanks girls :) I made it through the day. Whined about my tummy for a bit to my friend, and we didn't do everything I had wanted to go out and do because I couldn't handle it all at once. I did make it out and accomplish some things though. Have to do the rest tomorrow. :S

vivianbear
08-09-2012, 05:32 AM
I randomly woke up early, today and I think I'm going to try to get all of my camming hours in before 10am. I always feel less anxious or even depressed in the mornings and I think its because my brain is still kind of cloudy and tired. I haven't had time to really register any thoughts, positive or negative and I just operate manually. I hope this works. :)

justanothercamgirl
08-09-2012, 05:49 AM
I'm supposed to go out with my neighbour today to do a couple errands. I have to go to my po box and pick up my presents from my guys, and she has to get her oil changed. No big deal right?
So WHY am I freaking out about this!? She texted me saying she's going to jump in the shower and then we can go, and I immediately started to panic. Now I'm all nauseous and my stomach is all twisty and I feel super sick. Already knocking back the pepto bismol. I'm almost positive I have anxiety-related IBS. Ew, TMI, sorry.
I have no idea how to calm myself down in like... the next ten minutes... ugh this is so bad.

Have you heard of 'tapping' or 'EFT'? You look like an idiot when you are doing it, but I find it helps when I need to calm myself down in a hurry.

justanothercamgirl
08-09-2012, 05:51 AM
I can't even imagine getting on stage at a strip club, I can hardly even walk into one. :-[

I do work on MFC though. Isn't it funny how different anxiety is for everyone.

Oh, I also forgot to say.....count me in on the non-driving club. Since I was 16, I have had dreams of being able to drive a car. I even bought car in my 20s with hopes that it would help me get over my anxiety about driving. Nope. :(

MissEgo
08-09-2012, 07:45 AM
Have you heard of 'tapping' or 'EFT'? You look like an idiot when you are doing it, but I find it helps when I need to calm myself down in a hurry.

Nope! What is it?

MissEgo
08-09-2012, 07:50 AM
Have you heard of 'tapping' or 'EFT'? You look like an idiot when you are doing it, but I find it helps when I need to calm myself down in a hurry.

Nope! What is it?

Classy_Katy
08-09-2012, 08:53 AM
Emotional Freedom Technique.

I use energy mapping and breathwork to release though.

Incantatious
08-09-2012, 09:24 AM
They should have just stuck with EMT: it's more descriptive. But seriously, 'Emotional Freedom Technique' has to be the tackiest, non-descriptive, pseudo-scientific title I've ever seen.

And after reading the wiki, it seems there may be some truth to that impression - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_Freedom_Techniques

To each their own. If something works for you, stick with it. Suggestions need to penetrate my thick layer of scepticism before I can even think about taking something up.

Just so that this post isn't a total buzz-kill, (and for my fellow anxious sceptics!), finding yourself a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist specializing in your area of concern deal some serious blows to your brain nasties. This therapy is aimed at tackling your problems from the roots up, so be prepared for a LOT of talking, a LOT of challenges, and a LOT of homework - the more you put in, the more you get out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_behavioral_therapy

It's far from a quick fix, and it has some seriously substantial evidence to back up it's legitimacy as a heavy-weight therapy for a surprisingly wide variety of psychological problems.

blueroo
08-09-2012, 11:56 AM
I'm super duper busy but wanted to say... hugs to everyone. And to fellow non-drivers. It is SO hard not driving, especially if you live in suburbia. It's also hard to explain to other people. I feel really stupid, really inept and immature and people are just AGHAST that I only have a permit right now. I used to live in the city and walked everywhere, parking was a pain, and I just put it off because I have some issues with coordination/executive functioning (we're figuring out that I'm on the autistic spectrum and it is explaining A LOT).

But anyway. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing, this isn't an easy thing to talk about. 'Invisible' disabilities suck. They are full of stigma and are generally misunderstood.

Acupuncture is working SPLENDIDLY for me though. It's helping with my tummy troubles, headaches, pain, and anxiety. I went into it as a last resort and now after a couple months, my lifetime battle with these issues is lessening. I'm sleeping better even.

I just wanted to say also-- EVERY DAY, AT LEAST five days a week I get up at a 'normal time' and do yoga, shower, and log on and work. No matter what. If I absolutely cannot bear it I don't stay on. And believe me, those two hours before I log on are awful and full of dread and doom and gloom and then I log on and sometimes I hate it and want to be done and sometimes I love it but most of the time it's just...work. Like everyone else.

It takes time to form a habit. It takes self discipline to work from home on your own schedule. It's nice if you can be a bitchy boss and whip yourself into shape and get the fuck online every day you're scheduled.

People with anxiety and/or depression often do really well with schedules even though we tend to hate them. Structure is healthy, even if freedom feels good. I find what feels good to me is definitely not always the healthiest.

Avi Hale
09-06-2012, 08:27 PM
OMG. I'm new but I stumbled onto this and was amazed. I had no idea that so many ppl have anxiety on here. I have horrible anxiety and latley I've felt like giving up on my ambitions to be a Cam model. This totally made me feel like I wasn't alone. There are girls on here that struggle with things that would normally control there lives but found things that would help. I love it

Dreamofluxie
09-07-2012, 12:50 PM
This is incredible, thank you everyone for sharing, I have suffered from moderate Anxiety disorders all my life. It really does affect my cam work negatively. I find the idea of going on cam and having people look at me so terrifying.

NewCamGirl1
09-07-2012, 02:35 PM
Do the clips you ladies make, do they have to show your face? I know, here I go again haha. But seriously, I could really make some sexy masturbation ones. OH never mind, I just looked. Oh hell yeah that looks awesome. I'm going to the toy store tonight and having some fun.

JoJoX
09-07-2012, 02:48 PM
i just want to add (even though im a major pot head myself) that turning to substance- such as alcohol, cigarettes etc- would only make your anxiety worse. sure, it is a quick and very temporary fix but it wont last long.

i would know because ever since i stopped drinking, i become more confident. i use to think i HAD to have a drink when i dance (i do both dancing and camming) sure, it gave me confidence but that only lasted for so long. the more i worked with a clear sober head, i realized how not-scary is it without substance and as time and practice went by, the better i got- especially with controlling my anxiety.

medications and substance only mask your anxiety- it will never go away if you dont simple just address the issue.

007misslayla
02-25-2013, 06:58 PM
You're not the only one, ladies...

I had major issues with bipolar disorder, panic attacks, social anxiety, anorexia and lack of self confidence before. It's still there, I'm just handling it better now. And yes, I get the feeling - I can't do it, everybody's looking at me, I can't do it tonight...

I want you to remember one thing - self confidence comes AFTER you take action, not before. The hardest moment is when you log in. But keep thinking about that beautiful feeling of achievement AFTER you reach your goal. And think how those couple of hours of camming will stop you from being alone with your thoughts. Sometimes when opsesive thoughts take over us, camming is a great way to be somebody else. I mean, you are still yourself, but a much cooler, more relaxed version. And it gets easier - the more you keep talking about foolish things with guys, the more you make yourself smile even if you don't feel like it, it just takes over you at one point and it gets easier.

Set your mind to ''can do'' mode. It's hard as hell, but just TAKE ACTION. That's the hardest step, everything after that is piece of cake. Create a habit to go online when you're not in the mood, thinking how that will actually be your sweet escape from worrying. And focus on NOW, on this moment. Forget about your monthly goals, bills worries, everything, just focus on that moment - I can and I will make xxx dollars tonight, because I'm a fucking fighter! Repeat it to yourself, scream it if needed. Trust me, it works.

EVERYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO, YOU CAN DO. Good or bad. Make it good.

Good luck to all of you. I've been through really tough times with my anxiety. I know how hard it is.

MissEgo
02-25-2013, 07:50 PM
I started going to a doctor for my anxiety.
I'm ridiculously anti-meds. As in, I can NOT take them. Give me a children's ibuprofen and .. well it's two hours of ridiculous-ness that makes it seem like I'm on a bad acid trip. I told my dr about it, so she's given me some more "natural" methods of dealing with anxiety. (also I was scared to be dependent on anxiety meds anyway)

B COMPLEX VITAMINS. Take them. I take mine in the morning at breakfast. (or, with the cup of tea that I call "breakfast"..) but you are supposed to take them with food because they make some people feel nauseous if they take b vitamins on an empty stomach. It helps manage stress and energy levels.

Also, if you're near a health food store, see if they have rhodiola. It comes in drops and pill form. It helps with stress as well (and apparently stamina and mental clarity). I take that three times a day. My dr said it was highly unlikely I'd see any results until I'd been on these for at least two weeks.
My second week on them, I had 4 days completely anxiety-free (which is huge for me, because I had been anxious constantly and got wicked panic attacks 2-5 times a day).

I don't know if that will help anyone, but it's worth a shot!


ETA: And stop using the word "should". I should be able to do this, this should be easy, etc. No. If it's hard for you, it's hard for you. Some things are easy for you, but this is not. There's nothing wrong with that, or with you. Don't mentally abuse yourself because you have a hard time handling something.

JaneBurgess
02-25-2013, 09:52 PM
I have anxiety, panic attacks and OCD. For me camming works well since I can log off if I start to feel panicky. I see a therapist to work though it all.

justanothercamgirl
03-02-2013, 07:11 AM
I just wanted to add to this thread that the best thing that works for me is finding 'a camming buddy'.

I lucked out and have a fellow amazing camgirl in my life who I talk to during my shift about my fears and anxiety and who listens patiently to them. I have found that my anxiety about camming has gone down at least 90% since I found a 'safe person' that I can turn to when encountering problems while camming.

Fallenangel2904
03-02-2013, 08:27 AM
This thread is great!

I really do like camming and I have fun once I'm doing it, but its a struggle for me to log in always. I always have anxiety before I do and I have to work myself up to it, cant just log on. Once I get going Im good, just getting to that point sucks! I've always had anxiety to a degree in social settings. When I was a kid I was afraid to raise my hand in school to go to the bathroom because I was afraid to speak out loud. I have gotten over it A LOT into my late teens/early 20's (I'm 24) but still struggle. OH and the driving thing YES YES YES! I'm 24 and JUST got my permit. I've been scared to death to drive for YEARS! I am taking driving lessons now and it was a HUGE accomplishment for me! I mean BIG! I'm still pretty much a wreck behind the wheel, luckily my instructor has a ton of patience, but I freak out. Anxiety is awful. I did okay with it for a while but I went through a really crappy break up a few years ago that since brought it back full force. Terrible time for me.

Thanks for this thread, nice to know I'm not alone!

delilicious
03-03-2013, 02:16 PM
I'm so glad for everyone's stories and advice!
I myself have gotten onto medication that is helping me immensely. I'm finding dealing with e-mails and customers very rewarding. I'm also genderqueer and I've presented it more honestly in my profiles and have gotten some very respectful and validating clientele recently. I'm finding myself excited instead of nervous about working more!
Also as someone with agoraphobia I've been forcing myself to get out of the house. It can be easy for me to slip into the habit of doing all my social interaction on line and just spending a lot of time resting or doing things indoors. Going out and getting sun and walking is such a simple thing but it's so important.

007misslayla
03-04-2013, 07:10 PM
Hey... I know exactly how you feel. I have a ritual before I'm able to log in. But once that first step is made, it gets a lot easier.

Interesting thing about my social anxiety - it got worse with REAL PEOPLE since I started camming. I find it much easier on cam, where I'm naked all the time. Yeah, I can take my clothes off and be shameless and have so much confidence on cam, but in real life, sometimes feels hard to leave the house before it gets dark.

Fucked up feeling... Think I got lost in virtual world. Gotta balance it a bit.

Sometimes I feel that real world can never give me so much love, attention and power that I feel on cam. Anybody feeling the same?

AliceFun
03-04-2013, 08:14 PM
Every time i get ready to cam i start to sweat, no matter how cold is in the room, for many years i was shaking when working but that faded down, the sweating stays and i hate it!
I am anxious in general but at a low level, no treatment needed. I know i am happy to go out w.o make up on and nobody will comment over it, i hate to cam all dolled up and get all kind of comments from people. Different worlds eh?

seller317
03-04-2013, 09:05 PM
I am supposed to see someone in the morning about my depression/anxiety. Should I mention camming at all? I worry that Ill be judged by this.

BellaBellini
03-04-2013, 09:54 PM
I am supposed to see someone in the morning about my depression/anxiety. Should I mention camming at all? I worry that Ill be judged by this.

I'd mention it. I've had mixed results with health care professionals. But the ones that judged always ended up being shitty doctors. So it's better to find someone who has an open mind.

There are also some parts of this line of work that aren't found in other professions. I don't think your doctor will be able to treat you effectively if they don't know what your life is really like.

Good luck with your appointment. I know how tough first appointments can be.

JaneBurgess
03-05-2013, 07:30 PM
I suffer from agoraphobia as well. It's getting better and I can go some places but I am a wreck for a few minutes before I get to my location. I tried meds but they didn't work well for me. Goign for a walk is always nice. Helps to clear my head.




I'm so glad for everyone's stories and advice!
I myself have gotten onto medication that is helping me immensely. I'm finding dealing with e-mails and customers very rewarding. I'm also genderqueer and I've presented it more honestly in my profiles and have gotten some very respectful and validating clientele recently. I'm finding myself excited instead of nervous about working more!
Also as someone with agoraphobia I've been forcing myself to get out of the house. It can be easy for me to slip into the habit of doing all my social interaction on line and just spending a lot of time resting or doing things indoors. Going out and getting sun and walking is such a simple thing but it's so important.

Shycamgirl
03-06-2013, 09:18 PM
I have a major anxiety disorder too and the way I get myself to just on cam is that I tell myself that anything is better than zero dollars. ANYTHING! That I just need to get on cam and if I hate it I can leave after I make $5.

And of course, I always end up staying for a full shift. I have no idea if this will be useful to you as well -- but I figured I'd mention it just in case.


That's the way I feel. I'm glad I found this post. I have panic disorder and social anxiety. I haven't worked up the nerve to cam yet but recently I keep thinking about how much I need the money. And I have said to myself if I hate it I can quit. So, right now the money and knowing it is not something I have to do if it does not go as planned is what is pushing my foreword into getting on cam. I am always making an excuse but I hope tomorrow will be first official cam day. I have been taking pictures of myself and short videos and posting those.

Glamourmilf
03-07-2013, 07:06 AM
It's been my belief that given the times we now live in, that everyone has some social, or general anxiety to deal with.
You can't turn on the news without watching all the intensly bad things that are happening to innocent random people in this world, and where You live.
Just watch squirrels sometime~ The nervousness in their movements show that they are so anxious in not knowing what bad thing will happen to them next.
I have studied anxiety for some time, and really do believe that it is part of a human's defense mechanism to be aware, and protect oneself. Does that make sense? Like the 'fight or flight' mechanism that is automatically triggered in the brain, which stems back to caveman days.
Even while camming from the safety of your home, and realistically knowing that the chat room people can't reach through the computer screen and hurt You, camming would still cause anxiety.
Also, the fact that people are always 'judging' You while camming, would make anyone anxious! (Especially when the cruel, and hurtful comments are typed in your chat).
I remember when I did phone sex right before I discovered camming, and how I NEVER was anxious just being on the phone, and felt so calm just knowing that the guy on the other end of the line could never know even what I look like, or any personal info about me.
Just my 2 cents.

Snowy0Star
03-07-2013, 08:30 AM
I dont have anxiety about being on cam but I get anxiety about being on after I get on if I feel like I'm not getting any tips or not getting as much as I think I deserve witch causes me to freak out and get short with ppl or log off or start asking them for tips or telling them to tip me (witch I know doesnt work). I start thinking thuoght like "OMG why arent these guys tipping me I'm being so cute and bubbly and nice to them I'm just not showing anything for free! Should I quit camming but I love this job I cant get a real job very easy gaaaaaaah " I have a hooka but havent been using it as much as I would like due to financail reasons. I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder so its hard for me to get a job (I pretty much fail my interviews because I act so awkward and stupid during interviews) . The hooka helps bring me down by making me feel lightheaded and clearing my head so I stop going bazonkers with bad thuoghts and just be happy and relaxed. Ive had kind of taken a hit to my self esteem too from escorting but camming has been helping with that somewhat. Even tho theres like no paying traffic sometimes I go on All BBW Cams for a confidance boost becuase all the guys on there act sooooooooo nice lol

passionflower
03-07-2013, 09:48 AM
I even have anxiety about phone sex, to the point that some days I can't pick up. I usually can't make small talk with new people in person and it's easy to forget that they aren't talking to "me" on the phone. Then I pressure myself to perform because phone has less traffic and keeping as many regulars as possible is so much more important. It didn't help that the pics callers see are usually the few really good ones out of dozens, and even those are be tweaked and enhanced. I could pass for plump instead of BBW as long as my tummy was at the right angle - which makes me even more anxious and feel like I was "passing". I've slowly swapped out my more stylized pics for newer full body shots, which helps a lot.

It's crazy but with cam it's easier - there's less acting and no hiding my body. I know a guy has hundreds of girls to choose from and girls of every size and age make money. And I realize every guy is going to see me differently based on his own experiences and biases. They're not really seeing *me* anyway - just my body. So it's less personal. Working on not taking things personally is helping me on the phone and in general too.

Rosexxxx
03-07-2013, 03:01 PM
I always have anxiety. The funniest thing is when I get on cam it goes away! It happens before I get on cam. I procrastinate terribly. I just went to the doctor and he gave me medication for my anxiety to take at night before I go to sleep cause my anxiety is worse when I am about to go to sleep.

Glamourmilf
03-07-2013, 05:49 PM
^^^Rose, have you ever tried taking melatonin? Not the one from the health food store, but ( a brand called MIDNITE that you can get at cvs, the supermarket, and it is so amazing!) It knocks you out in 20 minutes and you will sleep throughout the entire night. i've turned so many of my friends on to it, and they are also having peaceful night's sleep. Also, try shutting off all electronics, including t.v., at least 1 hour before going to sleep.(Please don't watch the news or a violent movie before going to sleep) I also get anxious if I have had too much mental stimulation from either of those: even some types of music, or talking to someone on the phone can set it off. The more quiet my surroundings are, the more apt i am to be relaxed and not have anxiety. Just a thought.

AshleyRed
03-08-2013, 06:39 PM
I have anxiety/depression and it started way before camming. I guess it started when I was around 14 and got bullied at school. I would drown in food for that and I've reached over 100 kilos (220lb) when I was 20 y.o. I would still be a cute BBW, and I used to chat around and attract people and men, till I got married. But I kept gaining weight till I reached rockbotton, with 132 kilos (291 lbs) and decided to go on stomach reduction.

Now I'm 72 kilos (158 lbs) with 1,75m (5'9''), a good weight and already planning plastic surgery to reduce more and eliminate sagginess. Going to see doctor in 11 days.

It's funny that camming actually HELPED ME with anxiety and made me more confident. The only bad thing is that now I find men even more gross than before =P Everyone of them but my husband (which I believe is good hahaha, can you imagine if I found my husband gross as well?). I would never show around my body, not even in beaches. Now I feel good about that and I guess I'll be even better after plastic surgeries.

Another anxiety for me is money. Money issues are BAD :( And having a way to make more money makes me even happier :)

gothicgoddesstx
03-08-2013, 09:04 PM
I have pretty severe PTSD as well as other anxiety issues. Holding a regular job is VERY difficult for me to do, but so is actually logging on to cam. I have no issues making clips (other than getting the damn things edited and posted) but something about actually logging on is horribly hard to do.

whirlerz
03-08-2013, 10:04 PM
Yeah, well I'm a mess so depressed, ptsd, ocd. whatever. My depression's the main thing that keeps me off cam

MilkScrew
03-09-2013, 12:28 AM
I suffer depression, anxiety, and paranoia. I am wondering, what are some of y'alls steps to getting into camming mode? I would like to come-up with my own ritual to get me into the swing of it, and I'm just wondering about everyone else's methods...

maryjaynexo
03-09-2013, 02:04 AM
^^I usually find if I get dressed and put on makeup, I can sort of 'trick' myself into working even if I'm anxious, because I don't want to waste the time I spent on getting ready. I also put on some upbeat music and by the time I set up my work area, I'm still anxious as all hell, but ready to go.

funismymiddlename
03-09-2013, 10:26 AM
I suffer from depression and anxiety too. I notice when I eat healthy and exercise it helps a ton. I read on diff websites like webmd and mayo clinic that a healthy diet helps I never believed it til now.

MellyMay
10-18-2013, 04:43 PM
OLD THREAD RESURRECTED.

I found myself becoming anxious when I first started. 6 months later and sometimes it still rears it's ugly head. I typically take a Klonopin. I also DETOXED off klonopin for a month straight like a goddamned heroin withdrawal years ago, so I am VERY cautious and selective when I take that particular med (vs. taking daily.....just using situationally in high stress periods).

I'm currently trying to phase that out of my camming process as I don't want to become dependent to feel comfortable, ya know?

I hope to report back with postive results.

Graceface
10-18-2013, 07:42 PM
I'd mention it. I've had mixed results with health care professionals. But the ones that judged always ended up being shitty doctors. So it's better to find someone who has an open mind.

There are also some parts of this line of work that aren't found in other professions. I don't think your doctor will be able to treat you effectively if they don't know what your life is really like.

Good luck with your appointment. I know how tough first appointments can be.

I've started to be more honest about what I do in general, and it's helped my anxiety quite a bit. ^ This is such good advice.

annikah
10-19-2013, 07:44 AM
I have struggled with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, anger issues and OCD since I was a kid. I've had a hard time finding the right meds, because most either don't work or make me even crazier. Wellbutrin has been the latest disaster. It made me paranoid as fuck and ready to fight the world. I'm on Celexa right now, and it at least takes the edge off. But it has absolutely destroyed my sex drive.

lifetravelergirl
10-19-2013, 07:55 AM
this is a weird thing to mention but if you're also nocturnal remember that the sun gives you important vitamins and such. Just being in direct sunlight for a little while each day will absolutely help improve your mood.

Sunlight? <--- I think I may have seen this word before but I am going to have to Google it to find out what it is O_O . Can I buy it at Sprouts or Whole Foods?

LexiConn
10-19-2013, 12:23 PM
I'm glad this thread was brought back.

I've had anxiety/bipolar/ED/PTSD/mommy issues/the works for FOREVER.

Never been much good at "regular" jobs. Stripping and camming work for me because I can pretend to be someone else - actually I can be more like the "real me" that I have so much shame and embarrassment about (did I mention mommy issues - oh and abuse in the name of religious upbringing). I dunno, it's hard to quantify. I'm very flirty, but awkward, and I like sex and sex-energy and attention A LOT. I don't necessarily want to have sex with everyone, but I think about it all the time - sort of like how I imagine guys picture girls naked at the grocery store, it's always like pornography in my brain. Which makes it hard to go around people. lol

long story short, camming actually helps my general anxiety because it lets me be all kinds of a hooer without feeling wrong - it's ok, it's acceptable, it's desirable, and it's profitable. It's safe, it's clean, there's no contact, and for me at least there is no emotional baggage that comes along with it, I'm not making people uncomfortable or jealous or horny IRL or in ways that physically affect me, lol. It's an outlet in a way.

On bad days I have caught myself being sad that I'm not as amazing as xyz top model, I'm not comfortable doing this or that, my body doesn't look like it does in my head, and feelings of inadequacy creep in... That I just have to first acknowledge "yes I feel this way" then shut off, I just imagine a red x over negative scenarios or thoughts.

I do get nervous going on cam sometimes, I put my makeup on and find an outfit though and that's the "point of no return". Once I've put all that makeup on it would be a waste not to use it. I work through my jitters while I'm getting ready and tell myself I'm hot, shake that moneymaker, etc. Sitting down and checking my cam and initially opening my room gives me a nervous rush every time, excited or scared. It's actually way different than stepping out of the dressing room at the strip club for some reason - sometimes I actually feel a bit trapped - by the screen, in my room and I feel that "omg walls closing" feeling. Then someone pops in and says 'hi bb' 'so hot', so I pretend I am looking at me from their POV and suddenly everything dissolves and I get into it.

justanothercamgirl
10-20-2013, 10:38 AM
I have studied anxiety for some time, and really do believe that it is part of a human's defense mechanism to be aware, and protect oneself. Does that make sense? Like the 'fight or flight' mechanism that is automatically triggered in the brain, which stems back to caveman days.

Your studies are right. Anxiety is part of the 'fight or flight' mechanism that is used to keep us alive. What does not seem to be talked about a lot is that we also have something called the 'relaxation response'.

Triggering this response is the key to helping with anxiety. Now, this is of course way easier said than done. I am able to trigger my relaxation response and find it helpful with 'mild day-to-day type anxiety' but because of way my brain is wired it is unhelpful with my agoraphobia.

I figured I'd mention it since I thought you'd might get a kick learning about it. ;)

Thymian
10-20-2013, 11:22 AM
Sunlight? <--- I think I may have seen this word before but I am going to have to Google it to find out what it is O_O . Can I buy it at Sprouts or Whole Foods?

Just put it on your Amazon wishlist, bb.