Four Common Misunderstandings About DBT

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a rising model of psychotherapy treatment that is becoming very popular in both individual and online group therapy for its powerful benefits. While this model of therapy has been around since the 1980s, an increased awareness in recent years around mental health and treatment options has shone the spotlight on DBT, bringing with it both truths and myths. 

‍

For individuals wrestling with a variety of mental health conditions, including BPD, PTSD, suicidal tendencies, and more, DBT is often broached as a viable treatment option. If you’ve been encouraged to consider DBT therapy as a way of managing and treating your current struggles or mental health condition, read more about these Four Common Misunderstandings About DBT before you dive in. 

‍

1. DBT Is Just For Suicide Prevention

FALSE. DBT helps improve everyday life, decision-making, relationships, and emotional regulation. While this form of therapy has definitely been useful for treatment of suicidal ideations, that is because at its core, suicide is based on the concept that life is no longer worth living, or is too full of suffering. DBT aims to improve quality of life and to build greater meaning and satisfaction for anyone who chooses this type of treatment. Working through DBT with your therapist can help you recognize, address, and minimize feelings that are often the root cause of a myriad of problems other than just suicidal ideations, including relationship issues, impulsive behavior, emotional regulation challenges, and more. 

‍

2. DBT Takes Too Long 

FALSE. While this type of therapy can take longer than others, it is still an outpatient treatment. By comparison, the time you will spend in DBT therapy for anxiety, emotional problems, stress, interpersonal tension, or other mental health conditions is far less than the time you are spending immersed in these problems every day. 

‍

3. DBT Only Works For BPD‍

FALSE. DBT has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to: 

• Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• BPD
• PTSD
• Substance Abuse
• Disordered Eating 
• Suicidal Tendencies & more. 

In reality, DBT is widely applicable to a variety of these conditions and disorders because of its process and goals. As a form of CBT, DBT helps anyone struggling to acknowledge suffering, or limited by behaviors which are ruled through intense, impulsive emotion. Essentially, the goal of DBT is to take destructive choices and patterns, dissect their root cause and triggers, and rebuild helpful coping mechanisms instead. 

‍

4. DBT Is A Last Resort 

FALSE. A lot of patients turn to DBT when nothing else is working, but in many cases your therapist will suggest this type of therapy early on, depending on the type and severity of your symptoms, as well as your goals. DBT isn’t a bandaid solution, but a purposeful tool you can leverage on your mental health journey when guided by a licensed mental health provider.

‍

If you’re considering DBT, online DBT group therapy may be right for you! Grouport DBT resources are available at your fingertips to help you improve your mental health & wellbeing. You deserve to feel better. Learn more HERE.

‍