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Difficult times can lead to the fact that a person completely loses empathy and sensitivity to difficult events. This process is called desensitization. We understand how it appears and how it is treated
positive desensitization
Desensitization is one of the psychotherapeutic techniques, which consists in the fact that the specialist gradually reduces sensitivity to triggers. For example, if a patient has arachnophobia, then he is first asked to imagine spiders, then they show their photographs, and in the final they show live arthropods. Through this practice, the brain learns to deal with fear and anxiety. However, desensitization can negatively affect people by reducing empathy and the ability to sympathize with others.
Negative desensitization
There is no single “normal” response to death, but it is natural to experience and mourn. After the loss of a loved one, you can experience shock, sadness, irritation, confusion, or even relief. In addition, guilt and regret often appear. A complete lack of emotion is a sign of desensitization. Symptoms may also include:
- inability to grief and grief;
- inability to empathize;
- inappropriate reaction to death, such as unstoppable laughter in response to tragic news;
- apathy.
How does desensitization occur?
Desensitization can occur due to professional reasons. For example, a doctor who observes death every week, or soldiers in a war. Indirect factors can also lead to it: the normalization of the tragedy in the media and social networks, frequent viewing of horror films or regular computer games with increased levels of cruelty. According to research, desensitization in children can lead to withdrawal, withdrawal, and attempts to escape into imaginary worlds. This, in turn, will only worsen social relations.
How to prevent desensitization
Tragedies and crises constantly occur in the world, so no one is immune from desensitization. In order to prevent the loss of empathy, it is worth practicing the following recommendations of experts.
- ground yourself. This practice is to increase tactile contact with the ground. In the literal sense: lie down on the grass, close your eyes and try not to think about problems for at least some time. In addition to reducing desensitization, contact with nature helps manage stress, improves sleep, and treats acute pain, according to a small study.
- Minimize burnout: look for the reasons for your indifference, set boundaries between personal and work, take care of your body and mental health more.
- Reduce stress in many ways: breathe deeply, abstract from what is happening and look at yourself from the outside, listen to music, pick up soothing scents, smile, walk, etc.
How to deal with desensitization
A psychotherapist can best help with advanced desensitization. There is a regression technique in which empathy and feelings are restored when a specialist returns a person to a traumatic event. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) also helps. She focuses on treating common mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. During a CBT session, a psychologist helps the patient identify negative behavior patterns that are affecting their life. When working with desensitization, the therapist helps to identify and deal with the emotions and thoughts that affect the deprivation of empathy.