Know All About Dialectical Behavior Therapy Dbt
Marsha M. Linehan developed the psychological method called Dialectical Behavior Therapy Dbt. It is used to treat the patients suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder. It has also been effective to treat the varied symptoms and behaviors associated with spectrum mood disorders, including self injury. People suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder are quite difficult to treat as they may have severe mood disorders that could also be provocative in nature. Such people can be best treated with the help of Dialectical Behavior Therapy or DBT. It is an innovative method that helps treat such problem patients through optimistic means. To understand the working of DBT, let us first know a bit about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). As per the DBT hypothesis, some people react unevenly or abnormally to emotional stimulation as a result of exposure to unusual environment and upbringing or various biological factors during their growing years. As a result a BPD sufferer often experiences very frequent shifts in the emotions. DBT helps them deal with such situations and curb the sudden surge of emotions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy consists of two parts. Let's have a detailed look at them to understand the working of this method- In the first part, once in a week, a psychotherapy session is conducted in which a particular past problematic behavior is explored in detail. All the related primal aspects that led to that particular event are studied in detail and what alternative solutions could have been taken in that particular situation are also studied. Once the thorough analysis has been done, the therapist guides the patient on what all he could do to manage such an emotional trauma in future. The brief idea is to reinforce adaptive behavior on the patient so that he is able to control a future situation in a better way. The first and foremost aim of DBT is to kill any kind of suicidal tendencies followed by decreasing the behaviors that might interrupt with the therapy. Then the therapist works on decreasing the behaviors that reduce the quality of life and dealing with post traumatic stress responses. Last but not the least, the patient is taught to enhance respect for self and meet any additional goals set by him. In the second part, weekly 2.5 hour group therapy session is conducted in which the patient is taught about reality acceptance skills, emotional regulation and skills on mindfulness. While the first part may even be done over the telephone, second part requires the patient and the therapist to sit face to face and have the session with the whole group. Thus, with its two part approach, Dialectical Behavior Therapy aims to get the patients out of the problem of Borderline Personality Disorder. It is a calculated and well designed approach to deal with this severe form of mental disorders that could be fatal if not treated in time. |
