More on DBT 02/11/2010
 
I consider myself a Consumer in recovery.  What does that mean?  Well Consumer is the PC name given to those who are/ have experienced mental illness.  I consider myself “in recovery” mainly because I am able to function and live independently, but also I am able to live without my symptoms most days. 

 

Before I recovered, none of this was the case.  I struggled with horrible panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and depression, and sometimes delusions and hypo-mania.  Having such a plethora of symptoms left me virtually unable to get out of bed in the morning even to shower and go out. 

 

So, how did I get from there to where I am now?  Proper treatment.  For me, that means that my doctor finally found a cocktail of medicines that worked for me.  Also, I finally found a therapist that was able to help me.  Her name is Sherrie Schwab, and I highly recommend her if you live in the New Brunswick, NJ/ Highland Park, NJ area. 

 

What did Sherrie do with me?  It was a type of therapy known as DBT.  This is short for Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, which was developed by an ingenious woman named Dr. Marsha Linehan.  At the time, however, she was not a doctor, but a Consumer herself looking to find a way to recover.  So, what she figured out was that the best way to recover is to learn a set of coping skills to use when a person is experiencing symptoms. 

 

The best way to learn more about DBT is to look at www.dbtselfhelp.com.  This is a comprehensive resource about all of the ins-and-outs of DBT.  However, I will go over it just a bit in this post.  DBT is divided into four sections, and is usually taught in a group format, with individual therapy used to reinforce what clients are learning in groups.  The sections or modules are:  1) Mindfulness 2) Interpersonal Relationships 3) Emotional Regulation and 4) Distress Tolerance.  Each module focuses on different coping techniques to help someone get out of a psychiatric crisis, and build a life worth living. 

 

DBT is a more advanced form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  The theory behind CBT is that when you are triggered by an event, you then have thoughts about this event, which lead to feelings, and finally behaviors.  In order to change your behavior, then, you must change the thoughts about events that trigger you.  And, surprise, surprise, it actually works. 

 

I thrived with DBT because of the structure, and the thoroughness of the program.   I treated it as a fifth class when I was in school, and directly saw results.  I was able to finish my degree the semester that I took this class.  I took it several times, and each time learned something new.  It is truly like a class in which you learn how to handle intense emotions, with homework and all.  I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for this kind of help.  They now even have it for adolescents. 

 

Be Well

~Emily
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