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One of the most common types of therapy used in addiction and mental health centers is dialectical behavior therapy. This therapy is relatively new compared to other therapies, but it can be widely effective. It combines a variety of therapeutic techniques from past centuries to address the unique problems that certain patients face. Learning about the history of DBT can help you see if it might be right for you.
What is DBT?
Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a type of cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. It is based on the idea that some people have intensely emotional and very rigid reactions to everyday situations. The therapy encourages patients to identify problematic thoughts, like “you cannot use drugs and also be a good person.” Then, the therapist starts a dialogue with the patient that helps them to find more realistic versions of these thoughts, such as “addiction is a mental health disorder that many people encounter.”
DBT encourages people to avoid black-and-white thinking and realize that everything is not divided into opposing categories. The therapist assists the patients with integrating supposedly opposing ideas, so they can become more comfortable with behavior that does not fit into these rigid divisions. Ultimately, the goal is for patients to accept themselves and find healthier ways of interacting with the world around them.
The History of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
The history of dialectical behavioral therapy dates back to the therapeutic practices of the 1980s. It was first created in the late 1980s, and it evolved out of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This is a type of therapy that helps patients identify negative patterns and adjust them to create a more positive outcome. However, Dr. Marsha Linehan noticed that certain patients, especially those with borderline personality disorder (BPD) did not respond well to CBT. The focus on changing behavior made some patients feel like they were being criticized, misunderstood, and attacked.
Dr. Marsha Linehan started to work on creating a more collaborative type of therapy that works for patients with strong emotions and firm worldviews. Instead of telling the patient their thinking is incorrect, the therapist guides them to slowly integrate their way of thinking with more realistic and healthy thoughts. To achieve this result, Dr. Marsha Linehan was inspired by dialectics, a type of philosophical process that dates back hundreds of years and was used by Greek thinkers like Plato and Socrates.
At its root, dialectics is a type of dialogue between people with opposing forces. All dialectical discussions involve three important assumptions:
When used in therapy, dialectics involves a therapist with certain ideas of healthy behavior and a patient who has ideas that lead to mental or physical harm. Over time, the therapist guides the patient to incorporate these healthier ideas into their way of thinking.
Dr. Lineham’s method proved very effective, and it was quickly integrated into treatments for BPD. Other therapists began to realize that even patients without BPD could benefit from DBT. Since it is useful for anyone with strong emotional reactions and a clearly defined worldview, DBT is a helpful tool in all sorts of situations. In modern times, it is used to manage depression, substance use disorders, anxiety conditions, post traumatic stress disorders, and a variety of other behavioral conditions.
DBT for Borderline Personality Disorder and Addiction
BPD is still one of the most common uses for DBT. BPD is a condition that can cause you to think about yourself and others in unhealthy ways. It is often characterized by intense mood swings and trouble interacting with others. Symptoms of BPD will typically include symptoms like:
BPD and addiction are often closely related, and it can be impossible to treat one without resolving the other. People may take part in risky behavior like drug use due to their BPD, or they may turn to substances to self medicate for feelings of anxiety or shame. Meanwhile, addiction can exacerbate mental health and make BPD symptoms worse. Therefore, DBT can be a very useful tool for people dealing with these two challenges. The right mental health treatment can reduce BPD symptoms and overcome addiction.
When used to treat addiction and BPD, DBT helps to explore the intense emotions of DBT, the triggers for substance abuse, and the ways these two challenges interact. The treatment typically starts with DBT in individual therapy sessions. The therapist will coach the patient through analyzing destructive behavioral patterns, recognizing positive strengths, and finding healthier behavioral strategies. DBT is often integrated into group therapy sessions as well. You can speak to others dealing with similar challenges, and work on using your new skills to interact with others. Finally, DBT is taken into the real world. You may be able to call your therapist for help when you are in difficult situations, or you can get regular DBT sessions to help find coping skills for new challenges.
If you or a loved one is dealing with BPD and addiction, do not hesitate to get help. At Mission Harbor Behavioral Health, we provide dialectical behavior therapy and a wide range of other evidence-based clinical treatments. In our recovery program, we create customized treatment plans for each patient, so you get care tailored to your needs. Our peaceful locations in Santa Barbara and Southern California give you a location to recover away from all the challenges of daily life. Take the first step towards healing by getting in touch with us now.
The facilities at Mission Harbor are staffed with trained experts to best assist patients with their mental health issues. We are capable of dealing with any and all cases with a licensed staff, equipment, and approved techniques. Our mission is to help those who want to help themselves, and we support your decision in seeking help.
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