Sensitization in psychology. What is it, definition, examples, mechanisms

Sensitization is an increase in the sensitivity of nerve centers under the influence of an irritant. Increased sensitivity can occur during anticipation of a significant signal, through experience, or as a result of exercise. It may be due to specific activity requirements or arise as a result of compensation for sensory defects. An example of sensitization in the first case is the high sensitivity of the artist's eye to the proportionality of shapes and the consistency of colors and shades. In the second, it is an increase in hearing and remote sensitivity to obstacles in blind people.

Sensitization, adaptation and synesthesia are directly related to changes in the sensitivity of analyzers and relate to the qualitative characteristics of sensations.

Definition

The concept of sensitivity is used in psychology to describe processes that occur in the cerebral cortex and the human body when exposed to internal or external stimuli.

Psychological sensitization can explain changes in the nervous system that occur when certain factors are activated, or rather, the transformation of the system that ensures the transmission of nerve impulses and changes in the functioning of its receptors.

Academician and Nobel Prize laureate I.N. was one of the first to study sensitization. Pavlov, who was the first to note that even minimal external or internal influence increases irritation of nerve endings, spreading their activity to others responsible for receiving sensory information from the system and leading to a gradual change in their sensitivity.

The response to external stimuli is directly related to the development of habituation of the human nervous system, during which the brain develops an increased susceptibility of certain receptors to the activity of external stimuli, resulting from previously acquired experience or constant exercise.

The need for the development of sensitization arises in a person under the influence of constantly repeated actions, manifesting itself as an increase in tactile sensations in a person suffering from blindness, or developing as a result of prolonged exercise. An example of such an increase in the sensitivity of certain organs is the work of a sommelier, artist or musician.

A long-term study of the changes occurring during sensitization led to the understanding of the possibility of artificially producing the effect necessary for certain analyzers of the human body, carried out with the help of correctly selected stimulants.

Behavioral therapy

However, behavioral therapy can help achieve success when sensitization occurs. Desensitization was the first therapy to be called behavioral therapy. It was consciously developed using ideas from conditioning and focused directly on problem behavior rather than attempting to treat the underlying mental illness.

Therefore, this method can be called the most successful. In addition, as part of the work, the therapist teaches the patient relaxation techniques, which also bring excellent results when faced with irritants.

Reasons for appearance

Sensitization in psychology is a phenomenon whose development is directly related to the work of analyzers of the human body, which respond to the stimulating influence of external stimuli and are responsible for the appearance of a response occurring in the cerebral cortex.

Analyzers include:

• tongue, responsible for taste preferences;
• skin that reacts to temperature changes and chemical exposure;
• eyes that collect information about the color, shape and size of objects;
• a nose that reacts to the appearance of various aromas;
• internal organs (interoceptive receptors) - reflecting the processes occurring in them;
• muscles and tendons - providing information about movement;
• the vestibular apparatus, which responds to changes in body position in space.

The functions of analyzers are to initially collect information, separate it into external signals and transmit it to the brain for further study. The receptor boundaries of each analyzer are strictly individual.

Over time and when life situations change (loss of any part of the body, hearing, vision), the analyzing organs launch compensatory functions that make it possible to replace the lost information collection system with another. This phenomenon can be observed in blind people, whose body compensates for the lack of vision with excellent hearing.

Under the influence of constant external influence on any analyzer of the human body, the sensitivity of some receptors increases, followed by a decrease (desensitization) of others.

Hypersensitivity may occur when:

The process of sensitization of some receptors is closely related to the desensitization of others, which arise as compensation for increasing the sensitivity necessary for a person. So, a compensatory decrease in vision may be a response of the nervous system to an increase in auditory sensitivity that occurs under the influence of strong sounds.

Skin autosensitization - causes, ICD 10 code, is it contagious?

The international code for skin autosensitization according to the ICD is L30.2. The prefix auto indicates that the process occurs independently. This is a skin disease of allergic origin. It manifests itself as skin inflammation. The disease can be identified by a pronounced symptom - redness. In addition, the patient is bothered by itching, discomfort, and peeling of the inflamed skin. A known type of reaction is dermatitis.

The disease develops as a result of interaction with certain external stimuli.

The following factors provoke it:

1. Use of medications without medical supervision and compliance with dosage rules.
2. Taking dietary supplements.
3. Prolonged treatment with one drug.
4. Uncontrolled use of antibiotics.
5. Bad environmental situation.
6. Weak immunity affects the occurrence of allergic reactions.
7. Incorrect intake of potent substances.
8. Impact of vaccines and antibiotics.
9. Reaction to sleeping pills.
10. Taking aspirin and similar substances.
11. Ignoring hypersensitivity to the drugs used.

Skin sensitization is a disease with pronounced symptoms. Many people are concerned about whether it is contagious.

It is known that this disease is of allergic origin; it is not based on an infectious process. Based on this, we can conclude that it cannot be transmitted.

Dust mites and dust allergies

Kinds

Sensitization in psychology is a change in the sensitivity (sensitivity) of one of the receptors that occurs under the influence of external irritating factors.

In psychology and anatomy there are:

1. Active sensitization that occurs when an allergen enters the body directly. This condition develops within 1-3 weeks from the moment of exposure to the irritant.
2. Passive, occurring when a weakened allergen or vaccine is administered. This condition develops within a day and lasts about 40 weeks.

In psychological practices, sensitization occurs:

1. Long-term, occurring during prolonged exposure to serious external or internal factors on the human brain. This condition most often reaches its maximum development at the age of 25-35 years, and is then accompanied by a gradual decline.
2. Short-term, occurring for a short period under the influence of a sudden situation. Quite often, short-term sensitivity is caused by medications or stress.

Types of allergens and substances that cause allergic reactions

Depending on the type of allergen, treatment is prescribed. At the very beginning of diseases, it is important to determine what exactly causes the body’s reaction in order to treat them correctly. There are a large number of substances that cause allergies. They are divided into several groups:

1. Quite often, allergies are caused by substances of epidermal origin. These allergens are of biological origin and include the epidermis, hair, wool, down and feathers. It is extremely difficult to avoid these irritants.
2. Household allergens are also constantly in contact with people. Sometimes it is difficult to determine what exactly caused the body’s violent reaction. This type of irritant includes dust, wood, fabric, plastic and various other materials that a person comes into contact with in everyday life. They cause allergic rhinitis or cough.
3. It is easier to limit contact with food allergens. Moreover, they are not so numerous. Most often, the body is sensitive to fruits, nuts, honey, dairy products, dyes and additives.
4. Rashes on the body are often provoked by medications. This does not stop patients from purchasing without a prescription and self-medicating. However, some groups of drugs are not limited to rashes and cause swelling and other, more severe forms of allergies.
5. Fungi and bacteria also cause irritation.
6. The cause of sensitization is often parasites inside the body.
7. People come into contact with chemical allergens no less often. These include varnishes, paints, and synthetics. Contact of chemicals with the organ leads to burns and redness.
8. Seasonal allergies are caused by plant irritants. These include tree and grass pollen. A common manifestation is suffocation.

Development of allergies in newborns. Intrauterine allergic sensitization

Sensitization of relationships

In psychological practice, in contrast to anatomy, genetics and medical practice, the term sensitization is directly related to feelings and human sensations arising under the influence of external stimuli acting on brain receptors.

A change in sensitivity in this case most often occurs under the influence of:

• age-related changes and reach maximum concentration by the age of 20-30;
• endocrine imbalance associated with severe stress and nervous breakdowns;
• psychiatric disorders.

The appearance of increased sensitivity of sensations can also occur as a result of overwork.

The occurrence of a strong external stimulus triggers an instantly spreading reaction in the human brain, causing an increased concentration of attention to one adapter, with a corresponding decrease in sensitivity to others.

A contrast of sensations invariably occurs when several stimuli are simultaneously exposed, which makes it possible to enhance the effect of adapters operating in series.

Under the influence of the sensations that arise during short-term sensitization, a light object drawn on a dark background will seem even lighter, and when a hot hand touches a cold object, it will seem that it is also hot. Based on such close interaction in psychology, methods of treatment for alcoholism have been developed.

Sensitization of sensations also directly depends on a person’s age, since due to an unstable psychological system, the baby cannot fully respond to changes in sensitivity.

The difference between sensitization and desensitization

Photo by Alycia Fung: Pexels
While exposure therapy is used to address fears and anxieties, sensitization is used to establish normal or desired behavior through classical conditioning (Operant conditioning can also be used to encourage behavior through positive reinforcement or incentives).

An early sensitization-based behavioral therapy was bedwetting therapy developed by O. Hobart Mowrer in the 1930s. He tried to combat bedwetting, or enuresis, by providing children with moisture-sensitive pads.

When the child urinated, a loud buzzer sounded. After several repetitions, the sensation of a full bladder (an internal stimulus) triggered a preemptive awakening so that the child could wake up and get to the bathroom.

This device was a commercial success and helped many children recover. The success rate was about 50% when parents worked as therapists, but that was enough to keep it selling for many years.

What is desensitization and how is it used?

Another common use of sensitivity therapy is in marriage counseling to rekindle love and romance. Sexual arousal is a biological response, instinctive and reflex-oriented, so it is a good candidate for classical conditioning.

It is known that sex hormones respond to classical conditions. To restore mutual interest, couples are encouraged to consciously place important stimuli before enjoyable romantic experiences.

Sensitization of the senses in children

Sensitization in children is an increase in the activity of the child’s body to repeated exposure to certain stimuli. As a result of such activity, the child’s sensitivity increases, forcing the baby to perform the required sequence of actions.

A similar degree of expression of feelings is typical for children who have reached the age of 4-5 years, since in infants the analyzer system works only on external reflection.

A person’s sensations reach their greatest intensity from the age of 25-35, and then gradually decrease.

The sensory organization of the human body is not stable, easily changing under the influence of external and internal factors. The personality of a child or adult is considered fully formed even with limited sensory perception, which allows, due to compensatory mechanisms, to replace the lost analyzer with increased sensitivity of other receptors.

Disgust as a way to combat addictions

Taste aversion is a powerful form of conditioning: fast and long-lasting. However, the Clockwork Orange procedure involves visual stimuli that are not easily associated with disease.

Photo by Anete Lusina: Pexels

Some commercial products attempt to harness the power of taste aversion to help break addiction. Unfortunately, theory is not always successfully translated into practice. Addiction is one of the most powerful motivational forces. Countering it with an aversion to the taste is not a magic solution.

In fact, aversion therapy does not work as well as more traditional approaches such as peer group therapy. Aversion techniques have one more disadvantage: they are unpleasant!

Sensitization and synesthesia

Increased sensitivity is closely related to joint sensations (synesthesia), which is responsible for the ability of a stimulus in one organ to cause similar feelings in other parts of the body. The most striking example is the appearance of a salty taste in the mouth at the sight of salt, or the feeling of acidity at the sight of a lemon.

This also includes the appearance of colored visual images that arise while reading or listening to musical works. The explanation of this psychological phenomenon is due to the fact that when one adapter is excited, a synthetic transfer of sensitivity (sensitivity) occurs to others, causing similar symptoms in them.

Basic methods of treating allergies with skin manifestations

Treatment of an allergic reaction on the skin takes a long time, as it is carried out in several stages. The main general way to get rid of it is by taking antihistamines, corticosteroids and topical medications.

Antihistamines neutralize allergic reactions. They are allowed to be taken only under the supervision of a doctor, because only a specialist can determine the required effective dosage and monitor the body’s reaction. Among the advertised and well-known remedies, Suprastin and Tavegil can be distinguished. These medications, when taken incorrectly and due to the body's characteristics, cause side effects such as numbness and swelling. For allergies in childhood, it is allowed to take Cetirizine. Additionally, you can name Zyrtec, Claritin. Erius helps to quickly relieve itching, redness and swelling; this medicine has a minimum of contraindications and side effects.

The second stage consists of taking hormonal drugs - corticosteroids. They are responsible for suppressing allergic reactions. However, hormones must be taken with extreme caution.

External preparations relieve redness, itching and swelling resulting from sensitivity to the allergen. Unlike hormonal medications, gels and ointments are taken for a long time.

Adaptation

Sensitization in psychology is a process that precedes adaptation, characterized by the gradual adaptation of the nervous system to external influences, accompanied by an increase in perception of previously unnoticed little things.

Under the influence of constantly acting external factors, irritation of certain adapters is transformed:

• in dulling of the senses, which occurs under the influence of irritating factors and appears, for example, when a person spends a long time in a perfume store;
• into anesthesia, accompanied by a complete loss of sensitivity to the previously disturbing stimulus.

The development of adaptation significantly increases a certain threshold of sensitivity and makes it possible to distinguish previously elusive nuances, which, in particular, is used by perfume creators when composing a new fragrance.

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Sensitization theory

Sensitization in psychology is a phenomenon described by Nobel Prize laureate I.N. Pavlov, who found out in the course of his work that repeated exposure to the same stimulus invariably leads to a decrease in the sensitivity threshold.

Constant exposure to the same receptors allows excitation to spread to other areas of the cerebral cortex. This process provokes the work of other analyzers, which leads to their wear and gradual modification.

The principle of modification studied by the physiologist subsequently became the basis for the method of combating alcohol and drug addiction.

According to Academician Pavlov, even a small irritating effect increases the excitation of the nervous system, which affects the functioning of all organs and receptors. The resulting excitation becomes the basis for the appearance of a constant concentration, which causes a decrease in the sensitivity of other receptors.

The theory developed by Ivan Petrovich became the basis for the creation of a technique that allows, with the help of pharmaceuticals, to cause a person’s persistent aversion to alcohol.

The action of products that create a barrier to the entry of harmful substances provokes a gradual cessation of alcoholic beverages, ending with the patient receiving a kind of pleasure from giving up alcohol.

What is specific and nonspecific hyposensitization?

To get rid of allergies, hyposensitizing therapy is used. The prefix hypo speaks for itself. Hyposensitization is a decrease in the body's sensitivity to an irritant. In medical practice, a distinction is made between specific and nonspecific hyposensitization.

The basis of specific hyposensitization is the introduction of an allergen into the patient’s body with a gradual increase in the dosage of the substance. As a result, sensitivity to the stimulus decreases. Metabolism is normalized. Specific hyposensitization is used only if the patient is unable to stop contact with the allergen. Most often this occurs with allergies to dust, pollen, and microbes. Before the procedure, it is important to determine exactly what is causing the reaction. This is not so easy to do. To do this, a number of procedures are carried out: allergic skin tests are taken, specific immunoglobulin is determined. Then you need to determine how much allergen is needed to cause a reaction. Possible complications as a result of the introduction of the irritant - swelling. If redness, hives or swelling occur, increase the intervals between injections or stop treatment. In case of asthma, specific sensitization is contraindicated.

Desensitization is a decrease in the sensitivity of the body.

Nonspecific hyposensitization is a treatment aimed at reducing sensitivity using medications. Allergoprotectors are used strictly at the appointed time of day and in a certain dosage. Lomuzol, Optikorm, Ditek, Nalkrom, Ketotifen are used for treatment. These drugs help desensitize the body to the irritant.

Attention! Each medicinal drug has a number of contraindications; ignoring them leads to side effects and deterioration of well-being.

Management techniques, can you develop them in yourself?

Sensitization in psychology is a mental phenomenon that explains the increase in the sensitivity of some nerve receptors, while simultaneously affecting another analytical organ. Increased sensitivity can occur not only under the influence of external influences, but also in the process of constant training, as well as spontaneously.

Spontaneous sensitization occurs when it is necessary to compensate for sensory defects. Loss of vision or hearing leads to high tactile and vibration sensitivity. Thus, completely deaf people are able to hold their hand at the throat of their interlocutor to determine the essence of the conversation, and also feel the melody by the vibration of a musical instrument.

Sensitization caused by professional activity develops in people due to their professional activity, which forces them to constantly influence the necessary adapters.

The processual development of increased sensitivity with constant training occurs:

• jewelers who are unable to work without visual acuity;
• for tasters who use taste buds in their work;
• perfumers who can distinguish any odors;
• in musicians who hear halftones of sounds;
• among artists who have trained their visual organs to distinguish color shades invisible to the average person.

Despite the large number of factors, specific exercises for development have not been fully studied. There is no specific algorithm of actions for managing sensitization, since the structure of human receptors is quite plastic and easily adapts to any life situation.

For example, in a blind person, the number of tactile receptors on the fingertips is 1.5 times greater than the number of receptors in a sighted person. In psychological practice, the sensitization technique is used to identify a person’s phobias and help combat them.

So, during a psychological session, a specialist:

• at the first stage, establishes trusting contact with the client;
• at the second stage, the specialist forces the patient to create the most terrible situation in his mind and mentally imagine the panic that gripped him. Next, the client actually immerses himself in the situation he has created and discovers that the fears that previously tormented him are, in fact, not at all dangerous.

Under the influence of sensitization during the session, a stressful situation is created, comparable to teaching a child to swim, to the moment when he is thrown into the water in the deepest part of the lake.

An example from the film: why trust in the method was undermined

In the film A Clockwork Orange, sensitization was carried out (not hidden), very similar to Soviet therapy against alcoholism. The main character, a young man, was arrested for murder.

To turn him against violence, the convict was given a nausea-inducing drug. Meanwhile (for some reason) Beethoven's music was playing in his ears. After his release, the young man became violently ill whenever he initiated an act of violence or listened to Beethoven's music.

The caricature of sensitization therapy in A Clockwork Orange alarmed the public and increased public mistrust of conditioning methods. In reality, this technique is unlikely to work. A person forced to watch violent films while sick from drugs will blame the drug for his illness, not the content of the film.

Using sensitization in everyday life

Sensitization techniques are widely used not only in psychology and medicine, but also in everyday life:

1. When composing commercials, marketers specially add bright colors and shapes to them, which activate the visual organs and force them to create various, bright pictures in the brain.
2. Designers try to combine colors when decorating the interior.
3. The increased sound that accompanies commercials makes the memory absorb information faster.
4. Elements of different colored shapes in construction make it possible to emphasize the horizontal and vertical position of the building.
5. Company employees try to stimulate the client to make a purchase with small gifts.
6. Medical professionals use drugs that cause discomfort in the human body to “code” patients against alcoholism.
7. Colorful advertising posters with voluminous bright drawings accompany discounts and other store promotions.

Sensitization in psychology is an increase in certain feelings that occurs under the influence of external stimuli acting on the organs of hearing, vision and movement. The irritation that occurs during exposure directly depends on age, state of health, psychological mood and use of drugs.

Sensitivity to external stimulation of one of the adapters, which changes throughout life, stimulates the work of the entire cerebral cortex, allowing a person to compensate with new abilities for previously lost functions or, with constant training, to develop increased perception necessary for certain types of activities.

Working with dependencies

Let's say an alcoholic wants to quit drinking. One approach is to try to create a negative emotional response to thoughts about drinking. Theoretically, this can be done by following thoughts about drinking that cause anxiety or disgust.

For example, in therapy it might look like this (the therapist teaches how to formulate such a story):

A man enters a bar. He decides to drink a glass of beer. Now he goes to the bar. As he approaches the bar, he feels a strange sensation in his stomach. I feel dizzy and feel nauseous.

(The description continues and becomes more vivid and unpleasant).

...The person turns away from the beer and immediately begins to feel better. When he goes out into the clean fresh air, he feels great. He goes home without drinking.

Treatment for overt sensitization using drugs that induce nausea, not just imagination, was tried in the Soviet Union as early as the 1930s. A Soviet psychology textbook from the 1930s depicts a line of men sitting on small stools, each with a metal bucket between their knees, and each drinking from a shot glass.

Photo by Keira Burton from Pexels

They drank alcohol with medicine, which quickly made them vomit. This was supposed to make them stop drinking alcohol.

About allergens in dust

One of the most serious allergens in house dust is dust mites.
Whether we like it or not, dust mites are our constant companions. In general, there are about 150 different species in nature, but mostly sensitization occurs to dermatophagoid mites with the romantic names dermatophagoides farina and dermatophagoides pteronissinus. The causative agents of allergies are the mite itself, its small fragments and waste products (especially feces). In one day, a productive mite forms 10–20 fecal pellets, which can remain in house dust for another year and a half. These comrades feed on dead particles of our skin, which accumulate in mattresses and pillows, bedding, carpets, toys, and upholstered furniture. We produce approximately 1.5 g of this food for ticks per person every day.

Dust mites feel most comfortable in humid and warm conditions (80% relative humidity and above 20 degrees Celsius). If the humidity drops below 50%, the mites will dry out and die.

The mites were briefly dealt with, all that remained were fungi, hair and epidermis of domestic animals. Where the last components come from is quite obvious, but fungi, for example, live in the ground in the pots of our indoor plants or on the walls of the apartment, in the bathroom.