What is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), the treatement Selena Gomez received?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a new kind of treatement for emotional issue. In Selena Gomez' case, it is for negative thinking that contribute to her panic attack.

It is yet another approach to psychiatric issues. This method was originally designed to help with suicidal thoughts. Turns out, it becomes an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder, a mental illness marked by difficulty managing moods.

Dialectical behavior therapy is different than traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy, (CBT) in that it creates a bridge between negative to more positive thinking and emotions. This method validate the existence of negative thoughts while encouraging actions to add more positive thoughts and emotions to a person's experience.

I can see why this would be more effective than the existing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or aka talk therapy, where a person undergoing treatment is being asked to "forget" or refuse all their negative thoughts, which are in fact valid.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) promotes

• Awareness, 
• Acceptance, 
• Change, 
• Emotional strength, and 
• Resilience 

It has been over 30 years since DBT was initiated by Marsha Linehan, professor of psychology and adjunct professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle.

In a Borderliner Notes interview, Linehan says she created the DBT treatment after watching suicidal patients respond poorly to CBT, which left them feeling judged and frustrated. In her own words, she saw the needs for “the technology of acceptance” and “the technology of change.” “It’s behavior therapy with a huge amount of validation,” says Linehan in the interview. “Problem solving and validation are the core components of the treatment.”

Validation of experiences, despite that it is negative, and focus on solving the problems, rather than giving them negative labels, give room for more honest discussions and more effective treatment process.

“DBT pays enormous attention to escape behavior,” Linehan says in another Borderliner Notes interview. “Suicidal ideation functions for many as escape behavior. … Thinking that you can kill yourself is an escape from the life that you’re living.”

Although DBT is a western behavioral health therapy technique, is influenced by Bhuddist meditation and ideas, such as: interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance/reality acceptance skills, emotion regulation, and mindfulness. Gomez has reportedly used meditation in the past to help cope with her lupus.

Earlier this year, Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson opened up about his experience with borderline personality disorder, which he is said to have successfully treated with DBT. “You have this thought … these feelings and urges to freak out,” Davidson told Marc Maron on his podcast, discussing how DBT works. “[So you] try waiting it out 10 minutes, try going for a walk.”

I feel for Selena Gomez because she had just finish with a kidney transplant. While her physical health still needs attention, she develops emotional problems. That will make it much more difficult for her to cope with health changes and manage her general health conditions. I will her ther best, and would certainly follow up on her case here.

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Source: Yahoo Lifestyle