Can someone tell me if I'm doing what's right please. I've been trying to acknowledge my anxiety without giving it much attention. As I do this it keeps screaming at me louder and louder. Should I continue to try and not give it attention no matter how loud it screams at me to pay attention to it? I've asked my therapist from this app but she hasn't responded.

Simple answer is yes, I believe anxiety that is screaming for attention is just part of the process. You can do it!

It is so hard!!!! . I wanna cry.

I know, I'm also going through a rough patch but it's good that you're fighting it!

I'm sorry your struggling. This is very difficult to deal with.

Thanks, yeah it really is

Is it anxiety or is it ocd? You asked are you doing it right. "Right" sounds like ocd, it keeps screaming at you sounds like ocd. So my opinion would be to acknowledge it, then observe does it need something from me... like am I tried, hungry or thirsty, etc.. if it's something like that give it what it needs... go eat, rest, etc... if not and you are also feeling the need to do a compulsion. Then call it what it is, this is OCD and it's saying "blank blank blank" then return to what you are doing... let the anxiety rise and fall. Don't keep going back to it but if you catch yourself wrapped back up in it then just return to your work.

A couple of things. First. It sounds like you are asking for reassurance. That is a compulsion. OCD is going to fight back and play dirty. Its not unusual when you first start doing ERP for the intrusive thoughts to increase. When an intrusive though comes acknowledge its there then ignore it. Dont try to argue or reason with it. Dont try to prove the thought isn't true. Believe me, I know it isn't easy. But it can be done. Think of OCD like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. The more you react, the longer it will continue to cry. If a toddler sees their tantrum is going to get them what they want, eventually they will stop. The same is true for OCD. I saw another post where someone used that analogy and its a good one.