Summary
In this podcast episode, the host and guest discuss Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a form of cognitive behavioral therapy designed for individuals with complex mental health problems. They discuss the origins of DBT, which was developed by Marsha Linehan for chronically suicidal individuals who did not respond well to traditional CBT. The conversation delves into the personal journey of Linehan, who experienced mental health struggles as a teenager and was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and possibly borderline personality disorder. The speakers also discuss the link between borderline personality disorder and difficulty regulating emotions, fear of abandonment, and high risk of self-injury and suicide attempts.
The podcast episode explains how DBT combines acceptance and change to treat individuals with mental health disorders. The concept of radical acceptance is discussed, which involves accepting the present moment as it is without adding on thoughts about the past or future that increase suffering. The speakers emphasize that DBT is a treatment that can benefit everyone, not just individuals with a diagnosis. The DBT skill "DEAR MAN" is also discussed, which is a communication technique used to help individuals effectively communicate their needs and desires to others.
The conversation also touches on the benefits of DBT for adolescents and their parents. DBT involves skills training groups where individuals learn specific skills and practice them with a therapist. The speakers discuss the importance of identifying vulnerability factors and working on reducing them to prevent problem behaviors. The concept of chain analysis is explained, which involves identifying all the factors that lead up to a problem behavior and modifying them to make it less likely for the behavior to occur again.
The podcast episode also discusses the importance of self-validation and mindfulness in managing emotions and behaviors. The concept of opposite action is explained, which involves acting opposite to our urges to send feedback to our brain to feel a different way. The speakers suggest doing research when finding a mental health provider and checking if they are on a consultation team to determine if they are truly in line with the principles of DBT. Overall, the podcast episode provides a comprehensive overview of DBT and its benefits in managing mental health disorders.
