paradoxical intention
a psychotherapeutic technique used for anxiety disorders in which the individual is asked to magnify a distressing, unwanted symptom. For example, an individual who is afraid of shaking in a social situation would be instructed to imagine the feared situation and purposely exaggerate the shakiness. The aim is to help such individuals distance themselves from their symptoms, often by appreciating the humorous aspects of their exaggerated responses. In this way, they can learn that the predicted catastrophic consequences attributed to their symptoms are unlikely to occur. [originally developed by Viktor E. Frankl for the treatment of phobias]