Countless people suffer from one or more forms of mental illness. Many tend to hurt themselves, others are chronically suicidal and many others display unacceptable behavioural patterns. Yet others abuse substances and behave in a destructive manner. These sufferers have always been excluded from society. They are seen as disturbed individuals that behave in a disruptive manner because they want to do so. In NYC dialectical behavior therapy, DBT, has helped countless patients to make positive changes in their lives.
DBT is the brain child of Marsha Linehan from the Washington University. She first developed the technique to treat patients with borderline personality disorders and suicidal tendencies. Soon, however, clinical studies showed that this treatment method is also highly effective for patients suffering from a variety of other mental problems. Those with eating disorders and severe mood swings, for example, have benefited from DBT. Even people that were traumatised by sexual abuse can be helped.
DBT is a fusion of standard cognitive techniques that are used to help patients regulate their emotions. However, these techniques are augmented by further methods derived from meditative Buddhist practices. Patients are introduced to the concepts of distress tolerance, mental awareness and acceptance. Clinical tests have shown that this combination of treatment techniques produce extremely positive results with fewer patients attempting suicide or self harm and a much lower drop out rate from treatment programs.
DBT generally consist of two main components. The first is individual weekly psychotherapy sessions. During these sessions the patients is encouraged to gain control over his emotions, to develop a sense of self worth and to recognize situations that can cause severe emotional reactions. Patients are encouraged to take positive steps to increase their overall quality of life. In between sessions the patient always have telephone access to the therapist.
Individual sessions are augmented by weekly group sessions. During these sessions patients interact with each other. They learn that they are not the only ones suffering from destructive behaviour. They learn how to interact with others in a positive manner and how to cope with stress. The group sessions also focus on teaching patients how to control their emotions, especially when part of a group.
Treatment programs are not scheduled for specific periods. Each patient progress at the pace that is comfortable to him. Typically, however, patients need to be part of a formal treatment program for at least six months. In some cases it can be significantly longer, especially if the patient is not motivated to succeed. Patients that recognize the fact that they have a problem progress much quicker.
DBT has critics. These critics argue that not enough research have been done. More importantly, they say that very little has been done to study the long term effects of DBT treatment programs. There is therefore no proof that the treatment is effective after the program finishes. Critics also say that programs tend to focus on one particular disorder while patients normally suffer from more than one ailment.
Even in this enlightened age many people do not understand the pain and suffering endured by those with mental disorders. They are shunned and avoided, thereby only making the situation much worse. With DBT sufferers can learn how to take control of their lives and how to overcome the disabling effects of their behaviour.
DBT is the brain child of Marsha Linehan from the Washington University. She first developed the technique to treat patients with borderline personality disorders and suicidal tendencies. Soon, however, clinical studies showed that this treatment method is also highly effective for patients suffering from a variety of other mental problems. Those with eating disorders and severe mood swings, for example, have benefited from DBT. Even people that were traumatised by sexual abuse can be helped.
DBT is a fusion of standard cognitive techniques that are used to help patients regulate their emotions. However, these techniques are augmented by further methods derived from meditative Buddhist practices. Patients are introduced to the concepts of distress tolerance, mental awareness and acceptance. Clinical tests have shown that this combination of treatment techniques produce extremely positive results with fewer patients attempting suicide or self harm and a much lower drop out rate from treatment programs.
DBT generally consist of two main components. The first is individual weekly psychotherapy sessions. During these sessions the patients is encouraged to gain control over his emotions, to develop a sense of self worth and to recognize situations that can cause severe emotional reactions. Patients are encouraged to take positive steps to increase their overall quality of life. In between sessions the patient always have telephone access to the therapist.
Individual sessions are augmented by weekly group sessions. During these sessions patients interact with each other. They learn that they are not the only ones suffering from destructive behaviour. They learn how to interact with others in a positive manner and how to cope with stress. The group sessions also focus on teaching patients how to control their emotions, especially when part of a group.
Treatment programs are not scheduled for specific periods. Each patient progress at the pace that is comfortable to him. Typically, however, patients need to be part of a formal treatment program for at least six months. In some cases it can be significantly longer, especially if the patient is not motivated to succeed. Patients that recognize the fact that they have a problem progress much quicker.
DBT has critics. These critics argue that not enough research have been done. More importantly, they say that very little has been done to study the long term effects of DBT treatment programs. There is therefore no proof that the treatment is effective after the program finishes. Critics also say that programs tend to focus on one particular disorder while patients normally suffer from more than one ailment.
Even in this enlightened age many people do not understand the pain and suffering endured by those with mental disorders. They are shunned and avoided, thereby only making the situation much worse. With DBT sufferers can learn how to take control of their lives and how to overcome the disabling effects of their behaviour.
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Find a summary of the benefits of using NYC dialectical behavior therapy services and more info about an experienced therapist at http://dbt.solutions today.
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