DBT: Has Anyone Here Gone Through This Therapy?

[BloomInWinter]

"Because affect tolerance and modulation are such important issues for adults severely abused as children, the self-trauma Model addresses these issues in as many ways as possible. It stresses two general pathways to the development of what may be called affective competence: the acquisition of an affect regulation repertoire and the strengthening of inborn, but underdeveloped, affective capacities.

Skills training in this area is best outlined by Linehan (1993), in her outstanding manual on the cognitive behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. She notes that distress tolerance and emotional regulation are internal behaviors that can be taught in clinical settings. Among the specific skills directly taught by Linehan's "dialectical behavior therapy" (DBT) for distress tolerance are distraction, self-soothing, "improving the moment" (e.g., through relaxation), and thinking of the "pros and cons" of behavior (p. 148). In the area of emotional regulation skills, Linehan teaches the survivor to (a) identify and label affect, (b) identify obstacles to changing emotions, (c) reduce vulnerability to hyper-emotionality through decreased stress, (d) increase the frequency of positive emotional events, and (e) develop the ability to experience emotions without judging or rejecting them (p. 147-148)." Source: Link Removed

I have gained more of these skills than I realized. Even though it has taken so long to just get to the beginnings of these becoming more 'automatic' in my life, they are.

I'm so glad I went through DBT, now. It has been worth it.

 

[Nighthawk]

Well I was told today about DBT. My T asked me to buy the workbook if I was interested. He thinks it will help me. He also told me that he is looking for a T that has DBT and CBT along with being a trauma specialist. He is leaving at the end of April.:eek: :cry:

 

[BloomInWinter]

(((((Nighthawlk)))))

It really did open up my distress tolerance and people skills.

I don't regret doing it now.

 

[Nighthawk]

So how agitated did you get while doing it?

 

[BloomInWinter]

OMG.

A lot, but not intolerable. The thing is....DBT is like blowing up a baloon. Initially, stretching the distress balloon feels tight and difficult. But the next time that distress balloon gets blown up, it's easier to expand the space.

So, more space = more tolerance for distress. Hard but has been a huge payoff.

 

[Nighthawk]

I am getting ready to start the DBT skills workbook. If anyone would like to join in let me know.

I can see that some of these skills could be useful.

 

[Srain]

Alright. Blech. I started some of this awhile back, it does help so count me in, ordering the book as we speak.

 

[Nighthawk]

Glad you are joining in:D:tup: .
Would you like to use the same book. I can let you know what I have?

 

[Srain]

Yeah, oh boy :tup::confused:

Yes, please let me know what you are using so I can get the same one, I've looked and there are several. One I saw looked pretty good but I'd rather be using the same.

Thanks!

 

[Nighthawk]

The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook

The cover is green

 

[Hashi]

I'd like to join in. I don't have access to a group but I have individual counselling and my counsellor is helping me work on the skills. I have the green book. Sometimes it's very helpful and sometimes I think the explanations don't explain anything. It would be good to talk to other people about it.

At the moment I'm working on self-soothing. It's very difficult for me! :unsure:

Hashi

 

[Srain]

I'm still waiting for the book, it should be here by the weekend. I think it's great you will be working on it with us Hashi :).