Checking locks repeatedly or calming yourself during an exposure gets in the way of true learning. Endure your anxious response. Stay in the situation with your anxious response until your anxiety has decreased at least 50 percent or more from its highest point. For example, if your anxious response reaches 60 out of 100, then stay in the situation or with your discomfort until it reaches 30 or less. If you’re having trouble enduring your anxious response and staying in the situation, drop down to a lower step on your ladder, or add some easier steps and start there.

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