Let’s face it: We’re all a little neurotic. But when quirks and mild aversions grow into crippling phobias, psychologists may search for novel and creative solutions.
As an antidote for pathological shyness, one psychologist instructed patients to go into department stores and engage salespeople by asking for product information and advice. In some cases, patients were instructed to make purchases, then come back a few days later to return the merchandise.
The concept is simple. Through repeated interactions of this kind, patients gradually become comfortable with approaching strangers, asking for information, and asserting themselves in the normal give and take of daily human discourse.
However, this form of therapy depends ...
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