Questions? Call for Help Now
Questions? Call for Help Now
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as a disorder that “severely impacts a person’s ability to manage their emotions.” Intense mood swings and emotional outbursts can cause issues in the way they feel about themselves and their interpersonal relationships, and it can increase impulsivity.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder is an evidence-based treatment that incorporates parts of cognitive behavioral therapy, helping treat individuals through talk therapy that helps them understand the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, teaching ways to change their lives while accepting things as they are.
The DBT treatment plan for borderline personality disorder has several stages. The Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) lists them as follows:
DBT is often offered as group skills-training sessions along with individual psychotherapy sessions and usually takes around one year, although there are shorter “DBT-informed” programs available as well.
The American Psychological Association defines the goals of DBT as establishing a “dialectic” that helps patients accept the reality of their behaviors and their lives while also helping them to learn to change their lives for the better by changing dysfunctional behaviors and learning to regulate their emotions.
The key DBT therapy techniques and components include:
The following are some dialectical behavior therapy examples:
Through interpersonal effectiveness training, emotion regulation practice, mindfulness techniques, and distress tolerance, patients learn new ways to interact with the world and understand themselves better in the process. The benefits of DBT are well-known, which is why it is a popular modality in treating BPD.
Some of the most essential coping skills for BPD that are taught during DBT sessions include:
These skills are not difficult to learn, but they require consistent practice, which is why dialectical behavior therapy comes with “homework” or at-home practice. New ways of thinking do not happen overnight, especially after a lifetime of maladaptive behavior.
The main goal of dialectical behavior therapy is to replace unhealthy, unhelpful, or maladaptive behaviors with healthy coping strategies.
In DBT, more emphasis is placed on emotional regulation, mindfulness techniques, and acceptance than in other treatment modalities.
For most patients, a DBT program can take six months to one year to complete. Still, because everybody is unique, with their own challenges, needs, and preferences, it could take longer, especially when other mental health conditions or substance use disorders are present.
Part of DBT includes working in group sessions, which, although essential and helpful, some people may find intimidating or daunting. Other downsides to DBT include having to do “homework” and committing to spending a lot of time on therapy outside of sessions.
You also have to be comfortable with the idea of making challenging changes to your life and the way you think. Because DBT is rooted in mindfulness practices from Zen Buddhism, conservative people from other religious backgrounds may also object to the practices.
Part of dialectical behavior therapy is teaching interpersonal effectiveness. This means that patients need to learn how to build healthy relationships, get to know new people, and communicate clearly with one another. A safe, understanding, and encouraging group setting is the best place for this type of learning to occur, and gives patients ample opportunity for practice.
In many cases, prescription medications for borderline personality disorder can be used in conjunction with dialectical behavior therapy. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) does note that the goal of DBT is to reduce dependency on medications like benzodiazepines in favor of healthy coping skills.
There is a national DBT-LBC licensing board website where you can search by state, city, or zip code, or you can use the Psychology Today list of licensed professionals who offer DBT treatment.
For more information about DBT treatments, you can call the Alter Behavioral Health™ today at 949-996-9518. Find out how to get the help you need from trusted professionals, or learn more about dialectical behavior therapy techniques and benefits.
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