Efficacy of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (effectiveness of DBT)
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a very effective form of therapy that helps individuals learn the skills and strategies needed for a life worth living. It was originally developed as a method of treating people who were struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and also who had suicidal tendencies or self-harming behaviors
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). The patient populations for which DBT has the most empirical support include parasuicidal women with borderline personality disorder (BPD), but there have been promising findings for patients with BPD and substance use disorders (SUDs), persons who meet criteria for binge-eating disorder, and depressed elderly patients. Although DBT has many similarities with other cognitive-behavioral approaches, several critical and unique elements must be in place for the treatment to constitute DBT.
DBT was initially developed to treat women diagnosed with BPD at high-risk for suicide. Other conditions that may be improved with DBT include:
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Eating disorders
Substance abuse and addictive behaviors
Self-harming behavior
Suicidal urges
Treatment resistant major depression
DBT has been found to be helpful for treating many different conditions that involve difficulty regulating emotions, as well as unstable relationships or impulsive behaviors.
Evidence that DBT is helpful is seen in reduced suicidal behavior, reduced hospital visits and inpatient stays, improved social functioning and in being less likely to drop out of treatment
DBT focuses on developing mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation behavioral skills as the main therapeutic tools for overcoming pervasive emotion dysregulation and suicidal ideation
