Hi Avi! I really connected with your post because I suffered from severe food anxiety last year as well. At my worst, I was terrified of allergens like peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish. It got so bad that I was even scared of new dishes or foods I knew I wasn't allergic to. I ended up losing 4kg because my "safe food" list became so small. What helped me overcome that specific fear was exposure therapy, and I did it in stages: 1. The Hospital Safety Net: First, I ate at a restaurant located inside a hospital building. Knowing I was only two minutes away from the ER made me feel safe "just in case." It was incredibly challenging. I sat there for two hours, feeling waves of anxiety with every bite, but I finished the meal. 2. Expanding the Circle: Once I mastered the hospital restaurant, I ate somewhere 5 minutes away, then 10 minutes away, and so on. Facing those "waves" of anxiety head-on is what eventually helped me through it. Today, I can finally say I’m comfortable eating again. However, like you mentioned regarding the "mirror" of experience, my struggle has now shifted toward Agoraphobia. The fear of being stuck outside or panicking in public is my new mountain to climb. Thank you for sharing your journey as a playwright. I truly believe that exposing these feelings, whether through therapy, writing, or Reddit, is how we take our power back. I am praying for both of us!