Have you ever heard of dialectical behaviour therapy, or DBT for short? If not, don't worry, you're not alone!
DBT is a type of therapy that has been gaining popularity in recent years and has been found to be particularly effective in treating a range of mental health conditions.
So, what exactly is DBT? Well, it's a type of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) that was originally developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it has since been found to be helpful for people struggling with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
The goal of DBT is to help individuals learn how to regulate their emotions and behaviour in order to improve their overall well-being. This is done through a combination of individual therapy sessions, group therapy, and skill-building exercises.
At the core of DBT is Dialectics, a possibly unfamiliar word to most. Essentially, dialectics is the idea that two opposing ideas can both be true at the same time. In DBT, this means that individuals are taught to hold two seemingly contradictory ideas in their mind at the same time. Consider the following two thoughts, "I feel sad because I have no one to hang out with tonight" and "I feel happy because I have lots of friends that love me." By utilising the concept of dialectics, people can accept their current situation ("I feel sad because I have no one to hangout with tonight"), while simultaneously continuing to change and grow ("I feel happy because I have lots of friends that love me").
DBT also uses several techniques to help individuals regulate their emotions. One of these techniques is mindfulness. Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and fully aware of one's thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. By practising mindfulness, individuals can learn to identify their emotions as they arise and then respond to them in a more adaptive way.
Another technique used in DBT is distress tolerance. Distress tolerance involves learning how to cope with difficult emotions in a healthy way, such as through deep breathing or engaging in a relaxing activity. By developing distress tolerance skills, individuals are better able to manage their emotions in the moment and avoid acting impulsively.
Overall, DBT is a highly effective form of therapy that can help individuals learn how to regulate their emotions and improve their overall well-being. If you're struggling with a mental health condition and are interested in learning more about DBT, don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional in your area!
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