DBT/CBT Groups

I agree but that's how the Veterans Admin. does things. When I had private insurance I was going once a week and felt like we were making some progress. But when I lost my job and insurance (COBRA ran out) I had to go with the VA. And they wonder why so many vets die from suicide, 20-22 a DAY. If they can't see the vets more often they should pay for the vet to get help in their own community.

You are right and that is awful. I am sorry.

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My T suggested that I go to these DBT groups so that I would have a little more T time I guess. She is the facilitator of the group. I don't blame her for the lack of opportunity for vets to get help it's the government that has cut funding. My T only works part time there. Never in my life have I seen a government that is so anti military/veteran and police. With all the vets coming back from Iraq who need help they need to beef up the resources not cut them. Congress needs to have the same benefits as vets, then lets see how long it takes to get better care.

That is really rough. What can you do today to make your life better?

Make my bed

So the facilitator called me back and said the assignment was to read over the Opposite action and Problem Solving handouts and to have at least one example written down. So I thought about using the triggering example where the lady formed her hand like a gun and shot me in the head twice. The problem is there are so many emotions attached to that, and does it fit the fact? Then again I don't want my situation to be triggering to others so maybe I should find something less triggering to talk about.

Wow, the individual who made her hand look like a gun like that was out of line. No wonder you were severely triggered. Some people who claim to "know" what they are doing are not really qualified to work with "trauma" patients.

What DBT is supposed to help with is to help you develop a "wise mind" that slowly recognizes the emotional "triggers/hurts/challenge" and the "cognitive" part of the mind and becomes more capable of recognizing and acknowledging both and in that maintain a balance. Trauma dramatically affects someone emotionally and that individual gets so emotionally overwhelmed that they get fearful and hypervigilant. DBT is meant to help you recognize your emotional challenges and help you slowly develop a healthier way to acknowledge your emotions, but, develop a wiser way of getting more "control" over them.

Don't worry about others. Do that example. Use your emotions, maybe anxiety and anger. When it's time to share say mine might be triggering. If she says it's ok share. You don't have to share if you don't want to.

Opposite action is a different skill then does it fit the facts so deal with the emotions of that incident. They are valid.

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Problem is that our problems are complex with so many emotions attached you can drive yourself crazy trying to figure out if "it fits the facts" "is acting on one or all is effective" etc. It would be easier if there were only one emotion attached to one event, ya know? I can see how DBT would be helpful on the one on one situation.

On the handout it has a diagram of steps in the Opposite Action and Problem solving and the first Question to address is "Does this emotion fit the facts?" Then it goes to another section depending on your answer being either yes or no. But I keep getting stumped on the first question because of so many emotions being involved, some fit the situation and some don't. *sigh* This is very stressful trying to work this out. It's truly "Complex"

It fits your facts , your emotions are real. DBT was created to treat bpd . It's a little different when you're dealing with trauma. I am like you , I have complex trauma . I had some bpd traits but those were not enduring, the PTSD is.
My therapist told me whether or not someone's feelings are based on facts they are still real to that person. Because of that I suggest you use opposite action.
Come join us at 5pm pst in the PTSD chat. We'd love to have you.

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Thanks for the chat invite, not sure if that would be my thing or not. Thought of another situation to use for the DBT homework that wouldn't be so personal or triggering. My neighbor is being attacked verbally by the HOA and he is constantly emailing me, coming to my house uninvited, calling me and he knows I like my privacy. So I finally stood up to him and told him that he couldn't keep doing this and that he needed to hire professional help as I did to deal with my problems. Even gave him a good T name and pointed him in the right direction. If he doesn't get the message then I will have to be a little stronger the next time.
Is this an example of opposite action? Not sure I understand how that works.

DBT training Kati Morton on U-tube, love her videos and she covers most topics

That's more of an interpersonal effectiveness thing. Opposite action is more internal work .

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I guess I just don't get it.

There are 4 modules. Opposite action is a part of emotional regulation. What is the emotion you felt and what is the action opposite the emotion?

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I felt guilty that I couldn't help him more but he was really wearing me down.
Normally I would just suck it up and let it wear on me.
But this time I let him know he needed to take this to a professional, that I can't help him with this, but I will support him. And that he needs to respect my privacy

That is good, you can work on guilt. There's a great DBT diary card where you can work on opposite action. I'm struggling with it myself regarding my daughter. I could post about it. There's a DBT social group you could join. I can post about it there. I hope you join.

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DBT diary card? DBT Social group? Like a forum?

DBT diary card app and there is a social group on PC.

I Googled DBT diary cards and it was overwhelming. You use all those cards? Why does DBT have to be so complicated?

Had no idea there were so many social groups on PC. Found the DBT Social group and read some posts, looks a bit over my head. We have had three classes so far. I think there are only five or six classes. Then we are done.

I think it's ok if you join as a beginner if you want to.

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Maybe later when I get a better understanding of DBT. Since I have dissociated during most of the classes it's not surprising that I don't get it just from reading the handouts which is like reading Russian to me right now. I wonder if you have to be in a certain mental place for this to be absorbed.
I see you have changed your mood to scared. Are you okay?

You have to have the right facilitator , group and setting .
I had a bad experience in an online chat on another forum. I'm ok now. I'll change it. Thank you for bringing it to my attention .

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