What does desensitising mean?
Desensitising is a process used in therapy or treatment for anxiety disorders to reduce or eliminate a person's emotional response to a particular stimulus. It involves gradually exposing the individual to the stimulus, often in a controlled environment, to help them become less reactive. This can be a useful tool for reducing stress and anxiety, and is often used in conjunction with other therapies. Desensitising can be a gradual process, requiring patience and repetition, but can be highly effective in helping individuals overcome their fears or anxieties. It is a valuable technique for therapists and healthcare professionals to have in their toolkit, and can be a useful tool for individuals looking to manage their anxiety or stress levels.
verbThe process of reducing or eliminating a person's emotional response to a particular stimulus, often used in the context of therapy or treatment for anxiety disorders.
- The process of reducing or eliminating a person's emotional response to a particular stimulus, often used in the context of therapy or treatment for anxiety disorders.
"The therapist used desensitising techniques to help the patient overcome their fear of spiders."
"The therapist used desensitising techniques to help the patient overcome their fear of spiders."
"The process of desensitising can be a gradual one, requiring patience and repetition."
The plural form desensitisings is used when referring to multiple instances of the process of desensitising.
"The therapist used multiple desensitisings techniques to help the patient overcome their fears."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of desensitising
The word desensitising is derived from the verb desensitise, which means to reduce or eliminate a person's emotional response to a particular stimulus. This verb is itself derived from the adjective desensitised, which means having a reduced or eliminated emotional response. The term desensitising has been in use since the mid-20th century, and has become a widely accepted term in the field of psychology and therapy.
How desensitising is actually used
Desensitising is often used in the context of therapy or treatment for anxiety disorders, and can be a useful tool for reducing stress and anxiety.