that. Sensitization can be compared to an allergy. An allergic person has a strong reaction to substances that cause little response in others. In the same way, you react with great intensity to certain thoughts that others don’t. And, just as you try to avoid things you are allergic to, sensitized thoughts push you to work hard to avoid, crowd out, and try to banish your own intrusive thoughts. Since thoughts stick and start to feel like impulses in direct proportion to the effort you use to keep them from your mind, then, of course, media reports can intensify your own unwanted thoughts.
