[Flutterby11]

Hi i am supposed to be starting DBT soon and i was just wondering if anyone else here had done it and if it helped them. and how helpful it is for bipolar.

[bizi]

good luck with therapy.
bizi

[Guess7131]

Ive never had this before, tho i remember doing some research after watching a documentary about this. The success rates vary but i really hope this works for you. I think its fascinating that you can actually stimulate receptor growth. Good luck.

[boogiesmash]

I have used some dbt techniques. I am doing it on my own so learning from my own experiences. Are you doing it live or online. It does come helpful I found. With my latest depression it hasn't I'm sorry to say but I'm also on chapter 5.

[Flutterby11]

i am doing groups so live i guess. it is a 19 week program and the groups go for 2 hours and you also have a one on one session once a week. it is going to be intense but i am hoping it will help even a little

[boogiesmash]

Hope it works out

My question is, why if you are bipolar, are you taking DBT? CBT would be more appropriate.

DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) is specifically designed as therapy for behaviour disorders. On the otherhand, CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) is focused upon mood disorders including bipolar.

My other question is about the nature of the program you are taking. Is this through a therapist/psychiatrist or have you decided on a self-help format?

Both DBT and CBT can be very successful - as long as you take the work involved seriously. This means completeing the assignments to heart - completing them on a daily basis. If people find the therapy unsuccessful it is often a result of not doing the daily work. In the same vein, one must incorporate the work as a lifestyle. The work doesn't end just because the therapy comes to an end. I myself gradually fell off doing so - and my anxiety and depression gradually returned. i am revisiting CBT via a self help book and have noticed an immediate improvement.

Whichever you do study, good luck!

[Flutterby11]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

My question is, why if you are bipolar, are you taking DBT? CBT would be more appropriate.

DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) is specifically designed as therapy for behaviour disorders. On the otherhand, CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) is focused upon mood disorders including bipolar.

My other question is about the nature of the program you are taking. Is this through a therapist/psychiatrist or have you decided on a self-help format?

Both DBT and CBT can be very successful - as long as you take the work involved seriously. This means completeing the assignments to heart - completing them on a daily basis. If people find the therapy unsuccessful it is often a result of not doing the daily work. In the same vein, one must incorporate the work as a lifestyle. The work doesn't end just because the therapy comes to an end. I myself gradually fell off doing so - and my anxiety and depression gradually returned. i am revisiting CBT via a self help book and have noticed an immediate improvement.

Whichever you do study, good luck!

i am doing both and it is though a T.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I have been in DBT for two years. I'm about to graduate. I have also been diagnosed with BPD which is why they suggested I do it. I think can be helpful for anyone regardless of diagnosis. If anything-you'll learn some new techniques to get through hard times. I encourage you to step into it with an open mind. It can be confusing in the beginning but that's been the experience from everyone I know in it. Give it time.
Good luck!!!

[boogiesmash]

Yea I agree dbt can be helpful regardless of diagnosis. Cbt is also helpful.

[Moose72]

I took DBT and went through it twice. It was very helpful. It can be confusing at first but you just have to stick with it and do the homework.

[Flutterby11]

Thanks everyone I do plan to go in with an open mind.

[Trippin2.0]

I'm doing my third round and I have found it very helpful.

Yes its behavioral therapy, but who of us with BP have not had our behaviors wreak havoc in our lives?

So I'm in agreement that it can be helpful regardless of diagnoses, as it covers a range of issues / topics. I sometimes wish my friends could join because they're terrible at communicating and it also covers interpersonal relationships, and communication.

I'm no fan of the mindfulness module (but that's a personal issue) but I do so appreciate the emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and distress tolerance modules as those have helped immensely with my relationships, rage and depressive episodes, and how I behave when in those mind states.

I keep going back because I'm hoping these new skills become second nature, since my first can be quite destructive.

[bizi]

I am looking into this for myself too.
bizi
At 54 years of age, it is never to late to start learning.....I want my life to be better!
bizi

[HALLIEBETH87]

How long as your alls DBT lasted? We're almost finished and it took two years

[Trippin2.0]

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

How long as your alls DBT lasted? We're almost finished and it took two years

Close to a year, depending on the length of the breaks in between modules.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

Close to a year, depending on the length of the breaks in between modules.

Oh on. I'm in a pioneer group at the office I go to. We don't take breaks. Just meet every week. Only breaks are for holidays.

[bizi]

when do you start flutter?

Originally Posted by justafriend306

Both DBT and CBT can be very successful - as long as you take the work involved seriously. This means completeing the assignments to heart - completing them on a daily basis. If people find the therapy unsuccessful it is often a result of not doing the daily work. In the same vein, one must incorporate the work as a lifestyle. The work doesn't end just because the therapy comes to an end. I myself gradually fell off doing so - and my anxiety and depression gradually returned. i am revisiting CBT via a self help book and have noticed an immediate improvement.

Whichever you do study, good luck!

This is excellent advice! I've noticed that when those who've taken DBT (specifically -- because that's what we're talking about-- but other modalities as well) and gotten great benefit from it took this very approach.

(I'm currently doing an ACT group -- yeah, I'd never heard of this one before either -- and will confess that I wish I could apply myself to it more diligently. It's a case of I'm doing well, which makes it harder to find actually happening situations in which to apply it, yet ironically, chose this time specifically, figuring it would be easier than in a bad time(!) Get the skills down, you know? So... I dunno. It's not too hardcore -- just 10 1 1/2 hour meetings, but I may switch over to another kind of group (trauma) that I think might be more beneficial where I "am" right now to maybe get me understanding the PTSD dx better.)

Anyhow, blather blather, point is, good advice from justafriend about devotion to the work. Put the right group at the right time, apply devotion and amazing things can happen! Good luck, flutterby!

[Unrigged64072835]

I took DBT for about six months. It's a good program. I just had a problem with my facilitator and my husband couldn't get me to group on time.

[Flutterby11]

thanks everyone. i had my first session tonight it was fine i am still very depressed but i am glad i managed to go.