Sensitization and Desensitization to a Stimulus

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Sensitization Versus Desensitization

Sensitization, often referred to as reverse tolerance, is a phenomenon observed in the context of substance abuse. It entails an unusual response pattern, where repeated exposure to a consistent dose of a specific drug leads to an augmentation, rather than attenuation, of a particular behavioral, physiological, or cellular reaction over time. These heightened responses can endure for extended periods, weeks, or even months (Olive & Tomek, 2018).

Conversely, Cantor (2003) defined desensitization as a psychological process characterized by the repeated elicitation of a response in situations where the emotional action tendency typically associated with that emotion is deemed irrelevant. In clinical practice, desensitization is