Wednesday, May 17, 2017

NYC Dialectical Behavior Therapy Practitioners Help Many To Lead Normal Lives

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 main components to a DBT treatment program. The first is individual psychotherapy sessions once a week. During these sessions the patient is taught techniques to help him take control of his emotional state, to react to stressful situations in a positive manner and to devise ways in which to make life worth living. Patients are also encouraged to examine the causes of the destructive behavioural patterns.

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.

The length of a treatment program will depend solely on the progress that the patients makes and the severity of the disorders that he suffers from. Many patients refuse to admit that they are suffering from one or more disorders that render them unable to function within society. In such cases treatment is extremely difficult. Some practitioners argue that some patients need to be forced into treatment.

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.




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