Systematic desensitization
Systematic desensitization is gradual exposure to feared objects or situations. The goal of Systematic Desensitization is to overcome the avoidance pattern by gradually exposing patients to the phobic object until it can be tolerated. This will be challenging for the patient at first to deal with the fear, but gradually, most will overcome this fear.
Meet my friend, Patient X, hill walker and country man supreme, fearless traveller of the high fells and mountains. A man who never shrinks from a challenge, no river to deep, no mountain to high (queue for a song), but, put a cow in the field by the path and it’s a whole new ball game, then like superman in the presents of Kryptonite, he becomes a mere mortal.
But not any more, this Sunday his wonderful girlfriend (partner, other ½, significant other, +1, etcetera etcetera) as a TREAT! Arranged for a visit to a local dairy farm, you known a large flat grassy place with cows, 100s and 100s of them, just so he could try a bit of Systematic desensitization. While Mr X got to meet the cows, safely ensconced behind a large wire fence, his girl got a guided tour of the farm house (kitchen, fridge, bowl, ice-cream), on leaving the house she was horrified to see, and now I will quote from her email,
“I do a double take as I spot Mr X & Farmer John walking through the middle of a field with cows in it! OMG my heart is in my mouth. Even the young bullocks are watching expectantly from their sheds. Life went into slow motion as I saw the cows approach Mr X and surround him in the field. He stretched out his hand.....and petted them.....in the middle of a field!!!!! OMG I couldn't believe it! My emotions overwhelmed me, a mixture of pride, love and happiness all rolled into one warm mushy cow pat”.
Is this a cure? Only time will tell, but knowing Mr X as I do, it must have taken no small amount of courage to set foot in to that field, facing ones fears like that is fantastic, I don’t think I could faces mine that well.
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Now playing: Bow Wow Wow - Cowboy
via FoxyTunes
Meet my friend, Patient X, hill walker and country man supreme, fearless traveller of the high fells and mountains. A man who never shrinks from a challenge, no river to deep, no mountain to high (queue for a song), but, put a cow in the field by the path and it’s a whole new ball game, then like superman in the presents of Kryptonite, he becomes a mere mortal.
But not any more, this Sunday his wonderful girlfriend (partner, other ½, significant other, +1, etcetera etcetera) as a TREAT! Arranged for a visit to a local dairy farm, you known a large flat grassy place with cows, 100s and 100s of them, just so he could try a bit of Systematic desensitization. While Mr X got to meet the cows, safely ensconced behind a large wire fence, his girl got a guided tour of the farm house (kitchen, fridge, bowl, ice-cream), on leaving the house she was horrified to see, and now I will quote from her email,
“I do a double take as I spot Mr X & Farmer John walking through the middle of a field with cows in it! OMG my heart is in my mouth. Even the young bullocks are watching expectantly from their sheds. Life went into slow motion as I saw the cows approach Mr X and surround him in the field. He stretched out his hand.....and petted them.....in the middle of a field!!!!! OMG I couldn't believe it! My emotions overwhelmed me, a mixture of pride, love and happiness all rolled into one warm mushy cow pat”.
Is this a cure? Only time will tell, but knowing Mr X as I do, it must have taken no small amount of courage to set foot in to that field, facing ones fears like that is fantastic, I don’t think I could faces mine that well.
----------------
Now playing: Bow Wow Wow - Cowboy
via FoxyTunes
Comments
Unlike me and my irrational fear of pigeons, the scum of the earth, rats of the sky!!! I hate the little blighters. I have to face my fear head on nearly every single day but unfortunately I'm not getting over it.
Sigh...
Ciao
Scarlet x
You're not putting me into a field of snakes. No way. Shoes weren't made yet to run that fast - - -
W C Fields