I didn't like DBT. I went to a partial/IOP program and I just didn't feel like they met my needs. When I was depressed it was ok and some of the distress tolerance skills would work, but halfway through the program I had a severe manic episode. I began believing that a being was implanting thoughts in my head and telling me to kill myself. I wrote three long notes to my therapist explaining this but she only responded once, and then it was only to say she wouldn't speak to me unless I filled out my diary card (which I forgot to do because I couldn't focus). All she said was focus on my life worh living goal. Which is all well and good if you're suicidal because you hate life, but since it was my head telling me to do things I felt she didn't appreciate the urgency. I didn't WANT to kill myself, I felt like I had to. They also wouldn't allow me to see the doctor again even after I ended up in the ER for stitches and came in Monday telling then the thoughts were still there and had progressed to telling me I was evil and deserved to die.

All in all I think DBT can be helpful for some but it won't help in an acute episode of psychosis, and my program should have realized that. As it was they treated me like I was manipulating them for attention, which I know is what they're used to from BPD clients. It may be better in a different program. I do think mindfulness is helpful for me during acute anxiety attacks, and some distress tolerance skills work for depression. I think you don't have to commit your life to the program just yet. Use the pieces that work and maybe in the future you can build up to a life commitment.