[FlowerChild67]

I full expect that I will get some very upsetting or angry resonces to this post, but if you have been through DBT you should be able to KEEP IT IN CHECK as that is supposedly what this program is suppose to do.

Is DBT really all a bunch of hogwash? I am currently not in a group but was handed a packet on Distress Tolerance. I read though it and it all sounded like bullcrap, as it is way to illogical for me. Also when your emotions are way out of whack, your going to just be able to turn them off and go sit in a comfy chair at a fancy hotel ect... If I could control my emotions to that point, then I most likely would not have BPD. This Vacation in IMPROVE you must have to be wealthy to be able to do those thing, in this supposable skill set. I don't understand where these people think we can just change are emotions to do this stuff. I also don't understand how this is going to change your emotions. After reading this crap I am very close to taking myself off the waiting list for DBT, but I am way to curious to see what other mumbo jumbo they can through at us and expect it to just work. There is no way that I am going to be thinking about any of this stuff when I am in a argument with someone or just finished an argument and my emotions are through the roof. When I get to that point my emotions have taken over and depending on the outcome which most times is bad I will just dissociate to a safe place. I have been told I am a little baby and sometimes a completely different person who does not know the people around them and don't know why I am here or what day it is. I have had my roommate tell me this a few times now in the last few months, she says it is mostly the baby sleeping on the bed.

To come to*a the end, I would like to hear other who have taken the Full DBT programs (Marsha Lineham certificated), not something offered at a community mental health center. Was it good or bad and why? Or was it both?

Thank you and for those that DBT has helped sorry for the harsh word about something that helped you.

[winter4me]

Your reaction sounds pretty normal for an initial response. Whatever techniques you choose (DBT/CBT/other)----it takes a lot of work, and an initial suspension of (dis)beliefs to get anything positive from the practice. (((((((((hug))))))))))

[FlowerChild67]

Thank you for your comment. I am still having trouble either excepting help or still dealing with the stigma.

[cboxpalace]

Originally Posted by FlowerChild67

I full expect that I will get some very upsetting or angry resonces to this post, but if you have been through DBT you should be able to KEEP IT IN CHECK as that is supposedly what this program is suppose to do.

I wish the post was more angry!

Is DBT really all a bunch of hogwash?

No, but it's also not a quick fix and your level of success will depend a lot on how much effort you put into it, and how successful you are at taking the skills learned and making them a part of your life until they become habit. Some skills will speak to you more than others, and some not at all.

I am currently not in a group but was handed a packet on Distress Tolerance. I read though it and it all sounded like bullcrap, as it is way to illogical for me.

you can't base DBT off of one module. there's 4 modules along with mindfulness and they all work together however they can be used individually as well depending on the circumstance. if you decide to take the course it's not uncommon for the first few weeks to be confusing and make no sense. for most people it really doesn't click until about the 6th week into the program, and it's recommended to take dbt for at least a year.

Also when your emotions are way out of whack, your going to just be able to turn them off and go sit in a comfy chair at a fancy hotel ect... If I could control my emotions to that point, then I most likely would not have BPD.

This is true, however there are scenarios that you will be able to anticipate, and it's those situations where dbt can make a difference. for ie. you may anticipate a situation that is going to trigger you and it's at that time you have a choice to either do nothing, get pissed and nothing changes OR have a plan in place to counteract your normal reactions. That's why you can't look at just one module because that's several skill sets built upon one another. coping ahead skills, mindfulness, opposite actions, and distress tolerance. in theory as the events that you anticipate become more natural and habit than you'd start working at trying to use those skills for unplanned events. Sometimes you'll succeed and other times you'll fail. We didn't get the way we are overnight and change won't be overnight either.

This Vacation in IMPROVE you must have to be wealthy to be able to do those thing, in this supposable skill set. I don't understand where these people think we can just change are emotions to do this stuff. I also don't understand how this is going to change your emotions.

I believe you're talking about IMPROVE the moment. It doesn't have to be a vacation to Las Vegas. Think of it as more of a vacation from whatever the situation is that's creating the distress. Spend the weekend in bed, treat yourself to a movie. If you're sad watch a comedy.

After reading this crap I am very close to taking myself off the waiting list for DBT, but I am way to curious to see what other mumbo jumbo they can through at us and expect it to just work. There is no way that I am going to be thinking about any of this stuff when I am in a argument with someone or just finished an argument and my emotions are through the roof.

It's not a quick fix, you won't be successful in every situation, and if you know you're not going to put in the effort then I'd recommend saving your money and not taking dbt. It is work and there will be homework.

To come to*a the end, I would like to hear other who have taken the Full DBT programs (Marsha Lineham certificated), not something offered at a community mental health center. Was it good or bad and why? Or was it both?

Both. The good: I can see how I used manipulation with others to get the attention desired. That I've stopped. I also found the coping ahead skills to be effective.

The bad: I think it made it easier for me to detach and just be emotionless.
I think I'm more closed off to people/life now.

I like to think had dbt been around in my 20's that I'd be different, but who knows.

If you're the type of person that will try and put in the effort then I definitely recommend taking it. There's varying degrees of success for everyone.

[Crazy Hitch]

Hang in there FlowerChild! You can do it

For me, personally - I'm exactly like you - DBT as a form of therapy did nothing for me so I had to move on to something else.

Hope you find a form of therapy that you deserve.

Thinking of you.

[Verity81]

I have been in DBT for over a year now and am due to end soon. Our therapists were trained by Marsha herself.
I must say that DBT has changed my life. Before I was in and out of psychiatric care, consumed with shame, anxiety and depression and felt I was not living but just surviving.
I received DBT after self harming, becoming very suicidal and ending up inpatient. I was diagnosed in the hospital. I was frequently exploding, not sleeping properly, not eating properly and my marriage and family overwhelmed me.
You mentioned distress tolerance, which is used when your emotion is very intense. I have used this before and it has helped me to not lash out, it takes a lot of practise.
But it is not a core skill of DBT, its the mindfulness and emotional regulation that really starts to change your response to triggers both internal and external.
When I first started I asked if I really had any hope of a better life and my therapist told me of the transformations of previous clients he had seen. I thought 'well they couldn't have been as unwell as me, I can't imagine having enough control over my emotional responses'
Even though I was sceptical I put my all into it, reason is that I couldn't go on living like that, It became a choice between life and death. I think desperation actually gave me the motivation to give it as good a go as I could.
The revelations come with the practise. I could read all day about it but without practising the skills I wouldn't have known how much I could finally gain control of my mind and emotions rather than them controlling me. I was also diagnosed with ptsd and received trauma therapy along with the DBT, its hard but it works.
Yes its no quick fix, but from where I was before to where I am now it does seem like a miracle, but a miracle I believe can happen to anyone, with a good therapists and the motivation to work hard.
Im getting chocked up just thinking about the journey I've made over the past year. My advice to anyone is to just give it a go, it takes a few months for many clients to settle in to it and start to see real change but its worth it. To have lived your life in so much turmoil it is so very hard to believe it will work when you look at it on paper. Apply the skills consistently to your everyday life and that's where you'll gain the evidence.
I hope this helps and I hope you can get the best treatment for you. Never give up, you have more hope than you realise.
Take Care
x

[Lauliza]

It's not hogwash, although if you're just reading about it it may sound that way. It is a very specific skill set that you can learn, but it takes commitment, practice and a lot of time. The skills taught are centered around mindfulness and using what's referred to as "wise mind", the combination of emotional mind and logical mind. People with BPD tend to respond from a place of emotion so a lot of it may sound almost impossible. In general, people use a combination of emotion and logic pretty instinctively, so having it "taught" in simple terms may come across as patronizing, but it's really not. It's just teaching people the skills they weren't taught as children. It is not easy but it is possible, so I hope you find DBT helpful if you decide to do it.

[Crazy Hitch]

How are you at the moment FlowerChild?

I haven't seen you post for a few days