Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: All Info | BRIGITTE.de

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
How therapy can lead to a better life

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Janina Ohlbrecht

Dialectical behavioral therapy is a special form of behavioral therapy. It is used for various mental illnesses and can help patients to start a new phase of life.

Lots of people label them Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) as life changing. Who benefits from this particular type of behavioral therapy? What does it look like in detail and what does it actually mean dialectic?

What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

Psychologist Marsha Linehan developed Dialectical Behavioral Therapy at the University of Washington in the late 1970s to help severely suicidal and self-harm patients Borderline Personality Disorder to treat. These patients needed a way to control the intense emotions that drove them to take dangerous actions, and Linehan delivered just that. The DBT is a modified form of the cognitive behavioral therapy. Her main goal is to teach people to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to manage stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others.

Put more simply, DBT is designed to help to soothe emotional reactionsso that those affected are not driven to impulsive behavior.

What is DBT used for?

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is used today to treat a wide range of mental illnesses:

The reason DBT has been shown to be effective in treating the above conditions is because each of these conditions is believed to be associated with problems resulting from unhealthy or problematic efforts to control intense or negative emotions . DBT helps people healthier ways of coping to learn.

What is meant by dialectical perspective?

Dialectical thinking is the ability to keep two seemingly contradictory truths in mind at the same time. So Seeing things not as good OR bad, but as good AND bad. Why is this beneficial? When we’re less polarized in our heads, we think less extreme and therefore feel less extreme emotions. DBT focuses on helping people accept the reality of their lives and behaviors while learning to change their lives – including their self-defeating behaviors.

How does Dialectical Behavioral Therapy work?

The main goal of therapists who dialectical behavior therapy Applying it is to strike a balance between accepting who you are (with all the challenges) and the benefits of a change. Dialectical behavior therapy is in four treatment phases divided.

  1. At the beginning of the treatment, the most serious and self-defeating behaviors addressed. These can include problems such as self-harm or suicidal behavior.
  2. Next are issues that affect a person’s quality of life. These include emotional regulation skills, resilience and social skills.
  3. The next step is to focus on Problems related to self-esteem and interpersonal relationships to concentrate.
  4. In the fourth stage, treatment focuses on helping people to make the best of their life – including finding ways to be happier, strengthen their relationships, and pursue life goals.

Each therapeutic setting has its own structure and goals. However, there are six main points of DBT that are necessary for effectiveness:

  1. Acceptance and change: You learn strategies to accept and tolerate your circumstances, your feelings and yourself. You will also develop skills that can help you change your behavior and interactions with others in a positive way.
  2. Behave: You learn to analyze problems or destructive behavior patterns and replace them with healthier and more effective ones.
  3. Cognitive: You will focus on changing thoughts and beliefs that are not effective or helpful.
  4. Collaboration: You will learn to communicate effectively and work together in a team (with therapists, in group therapies).
  5. Skills: You learn new skills to improve your abilities.
  6. Support: You are encouraged to recognise, develop and use your positive strengths and qualities.

What are the benefits and risks of dialectical behavior therapy?

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy has been shown in several studies to help people with their mental illnesses. Especially in people with borderline personality disorder, DBT leads to:

  • Less self-harm behavior and anger
  • Fewer inpatient hospital stays
  • Less drug and alcohol abuse

DBT is more likely to work for you if you are open to positive change. When you are ready to fully engage in therapy and in the mood to focus on your present and future instead of the past.

Efficacy: How long does Dialectical Behavioral Therapy last?

The DBT usually lasts six months to a year. However, everyone is human unique and mental illnesses are complex. Therapists agree that the treatment of borderline personality disorder in particular can often take several years. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a little longer to control your feelings. After all, the important thing is that you seek help. Any progress is good progress.

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Information about offers of help

Do you suffer from depression, do you have suicidal thoughts or do you know someone who has expressed such thoughts before? The telephone counseling service offers help. She is anonymous, free of charge and available around the clock on 0800/1110111 and 0800/1110222. A list with nationwide aid agencies can be found on the website of the German Society for Suicide Prevention.

Bridget

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