I was just wondering what other peoples experiences of DBT were, and primarily what kind of 'disorder' it was used to treat. I am currently pretty confused about various treatment options therapy wise that are being thrown at me.
To explain -during a recent appointment with my GP, she suggested that I might find trying a course of DBT to be of some use; not with an actual therapist (we all know how long we have to wait for them on the NHS!) but through a self help/workbook approach, and she even offered to lend me a DBT workbook of her own. Now don't get me wrong, I am more than willing to be proactive in the 'self help' department, and am truly appreciative that she is taking such an approach. But at the same time I am beginning to wonder whether she and I are on the same page in terms of where I'm actually at in terms of my mental health and subsequent issues at present. This is primarily because I believe that DBT is something that I may have found beneficial around two or three years ago, and not at my current stage of recovery. It is also worth noting that I check inwith my GP for around 10mins every 2-3 months at present, which I am happy with.
As far as Iam aware, DBT is basically an adaptation of CBT which has been modelled to suit (primarily) patients who suffer with BPD (which I am not diagnosed with), self harm, emotional instability and such like. I am of the understanding that CBT and DBT are fairly distinct from one another, but are fundamentally very similar in that they both challenge negative thought cycles and subsequent behaviours.
Admittedly I have struggled with SH/ODing in the past, and still struggle with mood swings which generally occur over the course of weeks/months. But as a rule I am managing well enough with all sorts of scenarios and emotions - my friends/family are aslo of this opinion. I am no longer medicated, am on the road to recovery and haven’t SH’ed since around October 2010. I am in full time employment and am looking to get myself on the property ladder. Very recently I have been told by a CBT practitioner that I am not eligible for CBT as I already possess various skills such as the ability to break a negative thought cycle, extracting something positive out of a negative situation and praising myself for what I have achieved rather that punishing myself for what I have not done. I'm not trying to say that I definately couldn't learn anything fromDBT, but I genuinely don't think that it's for me in my current circumstances.
Anyway, if anyone could share their experiences with DBT and in particular why (diagnostically) it has been utilised/useful I would be grateful.
I'm currently having DBT for Borderline personality disorder. I'm finding it very helpful for self harm, suicidal behaviours and dissociation.
I'm sorry for my brief answer, just a bit tired xx
Let us go then you and I, when the evening is spread out against the sky, like a patient etherized upon a table
- T.S. Elliot
I think you're mostly right in your assesment of DBT. It is primarilly used to treat BPD, though it can certainly be used for other problems, and it is fundamentally similar to CBT because it challeneges behaviours and thought cycles. I did DBT for around a year--I was originally diagnosed with BPD, but was later diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I found some things about DBT helpful, and some things were not really relevant for me, because I felt like I was able to cope with things in those areas without assitance. For example, I struggled to name and recognise and cope with emotions, so the Emotional Regulation aspect of DBT was helpful for me, but I don't have that many problems interacting with people socially, so the Interpersonal Effectiveness aspect didn't really feel very relevant to me at all. I think DBT can be very helpful, but in some ways it can feel quite basic, and if you feel like you already have good coping skills and strategies then it's true that it may not be for you.
I think basically, DBT is great for coping skills, so when you do have a crisis situation you aren't on your own without knowing what to do.
I'm starting DBT group in a few weeks, but right now my therapist is teaching mindfulness.
I've been diagnosed with PTSD, DDNOS and Psychotic Depression, but my therapist recommends DBT because I also struggle with SH and suicidal behavior. I find it's really helpful, and other people that I know that have tried DBT also seem to like it.
OP, I feel in a similar position to you. I've had problems with SH/ODing in the past but don't feel BPD type issues are relevant however I am considering whether DBT would be a good thing for me. I can't see how the interpersonal effectiveness would be useful for me at all as I have no issues interpersonally but perhaps the others might do something. As a general rule I think the DBT skills seem useful, BPD or not, and they would be good to simply go over even if they are skills you have already acquired.
I think DBT can be very helpful, but in some ways it can feel quite basic, and if you feel like you already have good coping skills and strategies then it's true that it may not be for you.
That's what I'm worried about to be honest. Having researched DBT, I really can appreciate how some individuals (indeed myself a couple of years ago) might find it, or aspects of it helpful. Although I think that I may just find it a little too patronising and simplistic at my stage.
I think that I just need to explain this to my GP the next time that I see her and perhaps enquire about different types of thrapy. To be honest though I feel as though I am having the traditional 'therapy' thing shoved down my throat, and I almost feel bad if I don't agree to or can't gel with it.
Personally, I like to go for a good long walk with my dog, get some exercise, clear my head, focus on my surroundings and relax. To me , that is therapy, and it helps. At the end of the day, does it really matter what you do as long as it's something positive and useful?
Personally, I think that DBT is a good way to learn coping skills. It's actually quite complicated and I'm not sure if you can effectively self teach it. But it works after a LOT of practice and effort.
If you feel you already can handle negative thoughts and stopping those before it results in self harm, then concentrate on the interpersonal effectiveness module or the mindfulness module.
I initially had DBT because I was self harming and had a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. However I actually have bipolar, but have recently had a couple of refresher sessions of DBT.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
I did the pre treatment bit of DBT about 3 times. They told me if I didn;t 'want' to stop SI it wouldn't be appropriate. I had said I would try to stop and wanted to want to stop but had to be honest that I was suffering more from other issues.
They wouldn't accept me on the programme.
I think it sucked that they couldn't contemplate that someone might have mixed feelings about stopping SI and have mental conflicts.
I also felt they treated me like a diagnosis not a human being.
But saying all hat I know people who have found it massively useful,
the type of therapy that 'works' is a very indiviual thing.
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