"A little over 1 year ago, I realized I needed help when I nearly turned my car around on the way to a manicure appointment because I was convinced I would be killed by a shooter at this appointment if I went. Although I may not have physically felt it, I was incredibly stressed at this time. I was studying for my specialist exam as a physical therapist, planning my wedding, and teaching a college course for the first time. My anxiety was getting to the point of creating legitimate fear of every day situations: imagining myself and my parents dying in a car accident, convinced that I would be killed in a mass shooting while going shopping and on and on. With the help of my therapist, I realized how my fears were centered on my loved ones and that a history of pushing my fears down in the name of trying to stay productive/successful/on track was leading to this. I learned to look inward and acknowledge my fear as a representation of how much I cared about my loved ones and how to thank my brain for trying to protect me; but also acknowledge that I am safe. I will forever be grateful to her for giving me these tools to embrace ALL of my emotions and to repurpose them for my use. Those fears still come, as we are all human, but now I can address them, amend them, and go get my nails done without issue :)"
-Gabby
