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Systematic Desensitisation for Dummies

noun


What does Systematic Desensitisation really mean?

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Systematic desensitization is a technique that psychologists use to help people overcome their fears and anxieties by gradually exposing them to the feared object or situation. It's like when you start with something small and gradually work your way up to something bigger, just like climbing up a ladder step by step. So, instead of jumping straight into the deep end, we take it one step at a time, building our confidence along the way.

Imagine you are afraid of dogs, but you really want to be able to play with your friend's cute little puppy. Systematic desensitization would help you overcome that fear in a gentle and gradual manner. We would start by simply looking at pictures of dogs, then maybe hearing the sound of a dog barking, then watching a video of dogs playing, and so on. Each step would be done at a pace that feels comfortable for you, so you never feel overwhelmed.

The idea behind systematic desensitization is to train your brain to react differently to the feared object or situation. It's like rewiring your brain to respond in a more relaxed and calm way instead of feeling anxious or scared. By exposing yourself to the fear gradually, your brain starts to associate the feared thing with feelings of relaxation and safety rather than fear and anxiety.

This technique is based on the principle that our bodies and minds can learn new ways of responding to things. Just like how you learn to ride a bike or play a musical instrument, you can also learn to change your reactions to things that scare you. It's all about practice and taking small steps towards your goal.

Systematic desensitization can be used for various fears and phobias, such as fear of heights, spiders, public speaking, or even flying. It's a way to take control of your fears and not let them hold you back from doing the things you want to do.

So, remember, with systematic desensitization, we gradually expose ourselves to our fears while feeling relaxed and safe. It's like climbing a ladder, taking one step at a time, until we reach the top and conquer our fears.

Revised and Fact checked by Olivia Davis on 2023-10-28 22:49:34

Systematic Desensitisation In a sentece

Learn how to use Systematic Desensitisation inside a sentece

  • If someone is really scared of dogs, systematic desensitisation can help them gradually get used to being around dogs. They may start by just looking at pictures of dogs, then slowly progress to being in the same room as a dog until they can eventually pet one.
  • Imagine someone who is afraid of heights. Through systematic desensitisation, they could start by looking at pictures or videos of tall buildings, then gradually work up to going to the top floor of a tall building until they no longer feel scared.
  • Let's say someone has a fear of public speaking. Systematic desensitisation could involve starting with speaking to a small group of friends, then progressing to speaking in front of larger groups until they are comfortable giving a presentation in front of a large audience.
  • If someone has a fear of flying, systematic desensitisation can help them overcome it. They might begin by just thinking and talking about flying, then progress to watching videos of airplanes, and eventually actually take short flights until they can comfortably fly long distances.
  • Suppose someone has a fear of spiders. Systematic desensitisation would involve starting with looking at pictures of spiders, then gradually being in the same room with a spider inside a glass container, until they are ready to observe a real spider without feeling fearful.

Systematic Desensitisation Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Systematic Desensitisation Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Systematic Desensitisation Hyponyms

Words that are more specific than the original word.