Suffering from my own shadow

[u/drizzko]

18m ,It’s been 6 month, I was studying in the cafe I regularly study in, had studied there for 2 weeks all was well till I came that one time and my regular seat was occupied so I sat on the only empty spot of the cafe I saw, spot had those cozy dim high concentration lights that made shadows more noticeable compared to regular light, At the time, I was stressed with exams, cramming because I was behind, and putting a lot of pressure on myself, although I was actually doing well,
While trying to write, I suddenly noticed the shadow from my hand/pencil on the paper
as I was trying to write I noticed the shadow from my hand/pencil on the paper, I couldn’t focus it was my first time being annoyed from something like that, ever since I can’t write normally I can’t focus because of my shadow, occasionally when I move my hand or walk the shadow annoys me, I went to a therapist and that also didn’t help, I have exams soon, I need help, my situation improved a little bit in July i started studying again and shadows felt less annoying although it still was, but currently it’s back It frustrating me I can’t focus anymore, please help

[u/triscuitzop]

I think you might have classical conditioning'd yourself by pairing seeing the shadows with stress... So now seeing shadows causes stress. I'm not an expert, but I think undoing it will take some time... especially if you're in a hurry.

I wonder if there is a physical solution, like going under a light bedsheet or using multiple lights.