So I'm set to start DBT next Monday. The problem is that I've been crunching the numbers and I just don't think I can afford it. Actually, I know I can't afford it. With DBT, I'm required to go to DBT and to see my T once a week. I see my pdoo at least once a month. Then factor in the copays for my meds (both psych and non-psych) and I'm looking at over $200/month. I just...can't do it. I recently changed jobs from one which was causing me great anxiety and was like one big trigger for me to one where I feel more calm and relaxed and that I'm able to go to work and get along and do well. The problem is that I took a fairly significant pay cut to do so.

I spoke to my T about this briefly and she's going to help me to do patient assistance. However, I still don't think that's going to help. I still have to pay a copay and, with going once a week plus DBT, I just can't do it. I'm paying off other things. I just put my student loan into deferment for six months because I'm paying off other things. This is extremely distressing to me because I want to get better. And now I just feel stuck, like I'm going to be this way forever.

Is there anything you guys have done outside of therapy which has helped you, DBT-wise? I'm talking something very structured, not just looking things up on the internet once in a while. Stratocaster had a good suggestion yesterday, and any more suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

[greyclouds]

Sorry I don't only then you can buy the book, I'll find what it is from group on weds,
It sucks you guys have to pay.. When we get the help free on the nhs here. But then we pay national insurance. It comes straight our wages weather we like it or not.

How ever I think your money will be well worth spent if it's going to make you better and live happier

[gaia67]

Have you checked out dbtselfhelp.com?

I believe Yahoo have a group for DBT.

EDIT: I found the link to it.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/dbtclass/

Originally Posted by greyclouds

How ever I think your money will be well worth spent if it's going to make you better and live happier

If I had the money, I would be spending it but that's the point; I don't have it to spend.

[greentires4me]

I have an APP for DBT on my phone plus I go to DBT...it would be more helpful if I was willing to do it I mean willing to partake in it all..even thought I show up I don't believe its helpful.

Originally Posted by greentires4me

I have an APP for DBT on my phone plus I go to DBT...it would be more helpful if I was willing to do it I mean willing to partake in it all..even thought I show up I don't believe its helpful.

I have that app on my phone as well. I find it a little helpful. I think that DBT is difficult. When I am depressed, it is hard for me to want to do anything. I just want the pain to stop, and I don't have the willingness or energy to try and make it stop on my own. You need willingness and energy to make DBT work.

[gaia67]

Originally Posted by greentires4me

I have an APP for DBT on my phone plus I go to DBT...it would be more helpful if I was willing to do it I mean willing to partake in it all..even thought I show up I don't believe its helpful.

Is the app DBT911, or a different one?

Originally Posted by gaia67

Is the app DBT911, or a different one?

Mine is just called "DBT."

[beautifulfreak]

Originally Posted by misskeena

So I'm set to start DBT next Monday. The problem is that I've been crunching the numbers and I just don't think I can afford it. Actually, I know I can't afford it. With DBT, I'm required to go to DBT and to see my T once a week. I see my pdoo at least once a month. Then factor in the copays for my meds (both psych and non-psych) and I'm looking at over $200/month. I just...can't do it. I recently changed jobs from one which was causing me great anxiety and was like one big trigger for me to one where I feel more calm and relaxed and that I'm able to go to work and get along and do well. The problem is that I took a fairly significant pay cut to do so.

I spoke to my T about this briefly and she's going to help me to do patient assistance. However, I still don't think that's going to help. I still have to pay a copay and, with going once a week plus DBT, I just can't do it. I'm paying off other things. I just put my student loan into deferment for six months because I'm paying off other things. This is extremely distressing to me because I want to get better. And now I just feel stuck, like I'm going to be this way forever.

Is there anything you guys have done outside of therapy which has helped you, DBT-wise? I'm talking something very structured, not just looking things up on the internet once in a while. Stratocaster had a good suggestion yesterday, and any more suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

Hi misskeena, I completed the DBT programme here in Ireland, it is very new to this country. I was lucky, it was completely free. We have a much different health system here. Not saying it is great, but I know I was lucky to be afforded the opportunity. Unfortunately for me DBT did not help, however, it has helped countless others. I witnessed people in my group use their DBT skills so well, I tried my best but I found phone coaching past extreme difficult and my one to one therapist may not have been the best match for me. There are many tools you can employ, mindfulness is a huge part of DBT, radical acceptance is extremely important. I guess distraction, self soothing, using coping strategies that you may not have used before. The diary card also helps you keep track of your emotions and behaviours on a weekly basis. I am probably not making much sense here, sorry. I wish you all the luck in the world that DBT will be beneficial to you. I really do.

[TheRealFDeal]

Wow, Misskeena, I don't know how to help with the financial situation, but I'd just hate to see you miss an opportunity like this. I can't even find a DBT group where I live. I tried the Yahoo group, but it's not enough structure for me. I participated once, and have not been motivated to participate again, even though I look at the lesson for the week. There doesn't seem to be any group interaction, which seems like a really important part of the therapy to me.

Just a question: do you need to see your pdoc every month? I don't know if that would save much, but if you can stay regular on your meds, maybe you could go less often?

Originally Posted by TheRealFDeal

Wow, Misskeena, I don't know how to help with the financial situation, but I'd just hate to see you miss an opportunity like this. I can't even find a DBT group where I live. I tried the Yahoo group, but it's not enough structure for me. I participated once, and have not been motivated to participate again, even though I look at the lesson for the week. There doesn't seem to be any group interaction, which seems like a really important part of the therapy to me.

Just a question: do you need to see your pdoc every month? I don't know if that would save much, but if you can stay regular on your meds, maybe you could go less often?

I don't have to go every month, sometimes we do every three months. But I'm on eight medications (I have asthma and bad allergies as well so they're not all psych meds) with copays anywhere from $15 to $30/month. My copay for DBT and therapy is $20/week equaling $160/month. It really adds up to over $200/month and closer to $250 for all of it. It's just not feasible. I need the meds; those aren't negotiable. The only thing that is even remotely flexible is DBT. If I could do a workbook, that's at least something. I can't keep putting my student loan into forbearance because then it will be even more difficult to pay off once I do start making payments. There's just...no easy solution, really. I don't want to be so strapped for cash that I can't plan for, you know, something going wrong with my car or for an emergency, and this would make it so that I would be really strapped.

[Ultra Darkness]

I tried to join the Yahoo DBT group. I couldn't even figure out the stupid registration...

[TheRealFDeal]

Originally Posted by Ultra Darkness

I tried to join the Yahoo DBT group. I couldn't even figure out the stupid registration...

I somehow registered and got about a half dozen separate emails from the group... and I still couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do and how to get started. I had to email one of the group moderators twice before I got a response to my help! question. That did not bode well.

[cboxpalace]

Originally Posted by misskeena

The only thing that is even remotely flexible is DBT. If I could do a workbook, that's at least something.

The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook: Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation & ... Tolerance (New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook): Matthew McKay, Jeffrey C. Wood, Jeffrey Brantley:

^ That's the one I use and recommend. It has been a lifesaver for me

Originally Posted by stratocaster

^ That's the one I use and recommend. It has been a lifesaver for me

You told me about that one in chat. I think I have (or had) that on hold at the library, and my T wants to see it. I'll probably end up buying it.

My T also told me to stop reading about BPD (which I was doing) because she says I understand it just fine (uh, yep, I think I do) and start reading about mindfulness. That should be interesting, maybe. So I put a bunch of books by Thich Nhat Hanh (he is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk) on hold at the library. I usually have a difficult time with non-fiction but...we'll see.

[gaia67]

Peace is Every Step is awesome.

Sent from my LG-MS770 using Tapatalk 2

[Shaedow]

I am interested in list because I was diagnosed with BPD approx 2 yrs ago & wish to continue learning new skills & how to apply them to my own life situations. I see a therapist twice a wk & have for over 2 yrs. I have attended DBT class & am totally committed to learning more.