| Here is what other people have to say about DBT ((Note)) I did not edit their opinion in any way. ::1:: Ode to DBT. By the time most of us get into a DBT group we are just about to call it quits as far as therapy is concerened. For many of us conventional therapy ("talk therapy") doesnt work because we talk for the entire session about all of the horrible things life has thrown at us. At the end of the hour we have created an enormous amount of painful emotions that for whatever reason we are not equipt to deal with. The uniqu way that DBT is set up provides us with a structured and extremly validating envirment in which we are taught step by step the safe coping skills that we grew up with out ever really learning. The group itself feels more like a college class than a therapy group, the homework handout sheets give us an oppurtunity to not only try out the new skills in real life but it also keeps a tangable record of our progress (for many of us, progress is forgotten as soon as we slip up and resort to unsafe coping skills).So doing homework doesnt feel like homework at all. This type of unorthodox aproach is much easier for many of us to adhear to because as we allready know, we are not considered conventional patients, so thinking outside the box for therapist is exactly what the doctor ordered. – Misty ::2:: I have found DBT helpful in so many ways. It has affected my daily living for the better and especially when I am in a crisis. I go for my skills over 90% of the time, but I will admit that there are the rare times I don't go for my skills when I am in a crisis. When I don't go for my skills when in a crisis I always end up having a relapse and cutting. Looking back I realize that DBT has saved my life many times. There are situations that if I didn't use my skills I would have gone and cut and the cutting could have led to more severe actions. Not in every crisis, but there are a few. I would reccomend DBT to people and have a few times already. Just so you know people have asked me before if I'm coached (or along that line) to say what I say or what, but it comes from it my heart I tell them. One time I was even asked if i was paid to say what I say. – Vange ::3:: DBT. I think it is similar to CBT in that you have to stop and think about how you are feeling. Unlike CBT though, DBT helps you to distract and sooth yourself while working out how you can deal with the situation you are in and your reactions. And CBT gets you to think about your thinking. I like DBT's Wise mind, Emotional mind and the Rational combining into form the Wise mind. I like the balanced form it takes and how it allows you to examine your reactions and thoughts non-judgmentally. I like the non-stick mind (water off a ducks back) and counting your breathing to help you relax. I'm not too hot on the self soothing, as Iwas sexually abused as a child, so I found it hard to cope with the suggestions of finding something you like about yourself, having a relaxing bubble bath and things involving touch or nudity (as in bath or shower). However, the one thing I didn't like about it was Pros and Cons, as it is very hard to define the feeling or reaction, trigger even into something that can be examined in black and white form. I find if I put CBT and DBT together, then I can get an accurate and effective action plan for when I am triggered or even dealing with day to day things.ie the situational analysis (CBT) and Wise mind (DBT) help me to get a clearer picture of what was going on in my head and body, reactions and consequences, as well as change for the next time. It helps take the edge off. – Nina ::4:: My name is Holly and I am one of the managers of Secret's DBT site. I am 33. I have been in DBT for about five years now - for the last two, I have been in a stage-two group that works on integrating the skills into daily life. I can say without hesitation that DBT has saved my life. I began injuring myself at the age of eight (everything from head-banging to repeatedly infecting myself with poison ivy); in my teens this progressed to cutting; then about five years ago I moved to chemical burns, which ultimately resulted in numerous skin-graft surgeries. I have also struggled with anorexia and bulimia dating back as far as the self-harm. Five or six years ago I got committed to a state hospital in the Minneapolis area, where I was put into an intensive inpatient DBT program. Though I still struggle with the eating disorder, I am physically healthier and much more in control of the symptoms than at any point in my life to date. I have a job, an apartment, and two cats. Last week, on June 29th to be exact, I celebrated my three year anniversary - three years with no self-injury!! I never would have lived to see this day, were it not for DBT and the people who helped me to learn how to use it. (Bev & Dr. W. and the staff of AMRTC Units H/E) Sincerely, "HollybellMN" ::5:: I was in DBT for the 6 months. I hated it. This may be because of the circumstances; I only did the group sessions and for a long portion of the time the group was only me. Slowly the group moved to two, then back to just me. Around the end of my time, there was an addition- I liked this girl and that made it a little better, but I still dreaded going to DBT. I did not feel that it helped me a lot, but i do see how it could help a lot of people. I had previously been in a psych ward of a hospital where I learned all the skills being taught at the DBT classes. There are a lot of skills that are really helpful, but to me it seemed like common sense, but others may not know them. I would recommend to someone to go for at least 3 sessions and see if you like it. Love, Elyse ::6:: I've been in DBT for a little over six months now. It's by far the best program that I've found - and i think the only one that's worked for me. I've been diagnosed with Bi-Polar, BPD, Major Depression and Chronic Suicidal Ideation. I'm also a self injurer, bulimic, alcoholic, and drug user - all at the age of 20. This program is teaching me skills to help with every aspect of my many illnesses. The best part is being able to contact your therapist 24/7. Not to mention that they work really hard to match you with a therapist that you'll work well with. The skills training part of it is cool. It's where I've learned what i need to do to stay alive. The hardest part about skills training is that it can be repetitive - which sometimes turns me off or makes me tune out. But my therapy sessions always bring me back and make sure that I'm learning the skills correctly. All in all i think DBT is a great program and i recommend that you try it if you can. The worst thing that would happen is you wouldn't like it and you drop out - no harm no foul. Good Luck! - Natasha ::7:: I am not in DBT currently but I did not find it helpful in the very least. I hated it. I just could not "subscribe" to any of the philophies; ie mindfulness. I find it hard to believe that knowing what you are feeling {which I feel like I *do*} will make it any easier to deal with. It never helped me take that "third person perspective" and be able to look at it without feeling it. My counselor talked in the DBT therapy group about other actions to take when you want to cut, ie listening to music; taking a bath. My reaction was, "Do you think that taking a walk or a bath or listening to music is going to make me stop feeling like slicing myself open?" I even tried all the things that were suggested, but nothing so simple that was not "self-distructive" made me feel any better, even in the moment {which is what my counselor was aiming for- "something to make you feel better besides hurting yourself, even if just for a moment."} I have not self injured since October of 2003, my last suicide attempt. I do not feel like this had anything to do with DBT {I was in DBT earlier that year}. It all started with a promise to my husband who I loved very much; I did it for someone else until I could get to a point where I wanted to do it for myself. Beyond the self injury piece, I still have many problems as far as my BPD is concerned. I have issues with black and white thinking and relationships very much so. I am still in therapy and working through things. It has been a long ride- I am in my 9th year of therapy. - Alisha |