This has been a long time coming. I was given a DBT skills manual while I was in a treatment facility almost 10 years ago. Didn't think much of it, thought it was not applicable to me at the time. Many fellow clients are very loyal to it. Still didn't think much of it. Stuff the manual in my bookshelf.

I had a relapse due to missing medications about 6 years ago. So after I was stable, per doctor's recommendation, I attended a weekly DBT session for about 2 months. Mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness were the two chuncks that we went over. We did a lot of the meditation using 5 senses part of it, starring at the carpet, noticing its texture and pattern, feeling a fuzzy toy and be mindful of its texture and how it felt in your hands etc.

I didn't think that this was helpful in making the problems go away. Granted, I didn't have a clear idea of exactly what I was struggling with. Clinical depression turned into psychotic schizophrenia were the two issues that I am certain I have. I'm not delusional or exhibiting symptoms of schizophrenia anymore now that I'm on an awesome med. I consider my situation very stable. I have a full time job, living on my own etc. But I still struggle a lot with negative thoughts, cognitive dysregulation and interpersonal chaos. Btw, these are straight out of the skills training DBT handbook 1 st Ed. For as long as I remember, I couldn't put words in to describe what I was struggling with. When you can't even describe what you are struggling with, no way will healing start. I'm glad that the DBT manual has helped reveal so much of the issues in my mind.

Well, you may ask what got me to pick up DBT again? Why am I using DBT language to express myself? Well, about 3 weeks ago, I had this random thought about looking at some of the tools I've gained over the years that are suppose to help with coping. I was looking for whatever I had, copies of treatment manuals etc. Turns out DBT skills training manual and this CBT manual were the two I've found. Anyways, I am not quite sure what it is, but I am A lot more receptive to the ideas and words this time. I know I'm being long- winded, and thank you for reading this far, but I just want to say that DBT has really helped me with my thinking. Please, don't throw your DBT training resources away, revisit it 5 years later, 7 years later or maybe now. It has helped me tremendously with my depressive thoughts( not clinical depression, but just remanents of that which changed my thinking ever since). In conjunction with a good CBT skills manual, I am practicing the skills everyday for 3 weeks now, and I can tell you the effect on my thinking is profound. Please feel free to PM me if you are in recovery for anything and would like to explore or pick up DBT and or CBT again.