desensitization

desensitization /de·sen·si·ti·za·tion/ (de-sen″sĭ-tĭ-za´shun)

1. the prevention or reduction of immediate hypersensitivity reactions by administration of graded doses of allergen.

2. treatment of phobias and related disorders by intentionally exposing the patient, in imagination or in real life, to a hierarchy of emotionally distressing stimuli.

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de·sen·si·ti·za·tion (d-sns-t-zshn)

n.

1. The reduction or abolition of allergic sensitivity or reactions to a specific allergen. Also called antianaphylaxis.

2. The mitigation of an individual's emotional response to a distressing stimulus by repeated exposure to or imagination of that stimulus.

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Desensitization

A treatment for phobias which involves exposing the phobic person to the feared situation. It is often used in conjunction with relaxation techniques.

Mentioned in: Agoraphobia, Neuralgia

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desensitization.

See systemic desensitization.

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desensitization [de-sen″sĭ-tĭ-za´shun]

1. the prevention or reduction of immediate hypersensitivity by administration of graded doses of allergen; see also immunotherapy. Called also hyposensitization.

2. in behavior therapy, the treatment of phobias and related disorders by intentionally exposing the patient, in imagination or in real life, to a hierarchy of emotionally distressing stimuli.

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desensitization,

n removing or neutralizing the allergenic propensity by introducing the patient to serially increasing doses of the offensive material. This allows the immune system to endure the allergen without an allergic response. Used in conventional medicine, and a parallel procedure is used in some homeopathic therapies, such as isopathy. See also isopathy.

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desensitization (dēsen´sitizā´shn),

n 1. a condition of insusceptibility to infection or an allergen; established in experimental animals by the injection of an antigen that produces sensitization or an anaphylactic reaction. After recovery, a second injection of the antigen is made, bringing about no reaction and thus producing desensitization.
n 2. a reduction in dentin hypersensitivity by the addition of medicaments to the exposed dentin surface.

desensitization, psychologic,

n the deliberate exposure of an individual to imagined or actual emotionally stressful experiences to treat phobias and other related conditions.

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desensitization

the prevention or reduction of immediate hypersensitivity reactions mediated by IgE by the administration of graded doses of allergen; hyposensitization. See also immunotherapy.

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extinction desensitization

see extinction.