For Patients In NYC Dialectical Behavior Therapy Can Be Life Altering

By Joyce Sanders


There are numerous people suffering from behavioural disorders and behavioural patterns that are deemed harmful. This may include tendencies to harm oneself, try to commit suicide and the abuse of substances. Many people say that these sufferers are simply weak minded, unambitious and wilful, but this is certainly not always the case. In NYC dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT for short, has proven to be extremely helpful in steering sufferers towards more balanced 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 combination of existing cognitive treatment methods and Zen Buddhist meditative techniques. Cognitive treatment focus on the regulation of the emotions, by the Buddhist components focus on teaching patients how to control their emotions, how to face reality, how to develop interaction skills and how to accept reality. Research studies have concluded that this method has achieved definite results with fewer patients attempting suicide.

There are two components in every DBT program. Firstly, patients attend a psychotherapy session each week. In between sessions, patients can contact the therapist at any time. During these sessions patients are helped to examine the underlying reasons for their destructive behaviour. They also learn how to cope with or avoid situations that can be distressing and they are lead towards devising ways in which they can improve their own lives.

The other components consists of once a week group sessions lasting more than two hours each. In these sessions patients learn that they are not the only once suffering from destructive behaviour patterns. They share their experiences and the encourage each other to apply techniques that will help them control any destructive impulses. A high premium is also placed on teaching patients how to interact within 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.

Critics of DBT say that treatment programs tend to focus on specific disorders, such as suicidal tendencies, but that most mentally disturbed patients suffer from a complex variety of mental health problems. They also say that not enough research have been conducted to conclusively prove that DBT produces results. In addition, very little research have been done to follow up on patients after completing their treatment programs.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment