desensitisering

Desensitisering, or desensitization, denotes a process by which responsiveness to a particular stimulus is reduced through controlled exposure or adaptation. It occurs in biological systems, clinical treatment, and behavioral settings, and is used to manage allergies, fears, and excessive reactions to stimuli.

In medicine, desensitization is a therapeutic protocol that enables patients to tolerate a substance they are allergic to or intolerant of. In allergology, allergen immunotherapy gradually increases exposure to the allergen to shift the immune response toward tolerance. Drug desensitization is used when a first-line medication is essential but an allergy or adverse reaction makes continued use otherwise impossible; it entails administering progressively higher doses under supervision to reach a target dose while monitoring for reactions.

In psychology, desensitization is a behavioral technique designed to reduce anxiety or phobic responses through gradual, repeated exposure to the feared object or situation paired with relaxation strategies. Systematic desensitization, a specific form, contrasts with flooding, which exposes an individual to intense stimuli more quickly. The process aims to weaken the avoidance behavior and decrease physiological arousal.

Mechanisms vary: in physiology, desensitization may involve receptor changes, immune tolerance, or neurochemical adaptation; in psychology, habituation and extinction of conditioned responses occur.

Outcomes depend on adherence, context, and individual factors; desensitization is usually not a permanent cure and may require ongoing maintenance in medical settings. Potential risks include allergic reactions during medical protocols and temporary anxiety increase or distress during psychological treatment. Proper professional supervision is essential.