Despite how common it is, depression can sometimes be challenging to treat. While certain medications and therapies work wonders for some people, they may do little to relieve the symptoms of others. But hope is not lost.
Treatment-resistant depression may respond better to different treatment modalities, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). If you have been struggling with depression and have not received the relief you desire from therapy or medication, consider whether DBT techniques may be worth trying.
If you are ready to experience the benefits of behavioral therapy like DBT, call Promises 5 Palms at 1.844.675.1022. Our friendly staff can set you up with an intake assessment so you can start feeling better as soon as possible.
What Is DBT?
Dialectical behavior therapy is a form of talk therapy initially developed to treat people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it has also been found helpful for those dealing with challenging emotions who have not experienced adequate progress from other forms of therapy, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
In addition to BPD, DBT can be beneficial for mental health conditions like:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Addiction
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders
Dialectical behavior therapy combines components of CBT with mindfulness techniques to help people regulate their emotions and tolerate distress.
The Benefits of Behavioral Therapy for Depression
People with depression can face difficulties with emotional regulation, impulse control, and interpersonal relationships. Sometimes, CBT may not be adequate to address the severity of these symptoms.
The benefits of behavioral therapy for depression (DBT in particular) are:
- Reduced risk of relapse – By teaching skills that address the underlying contributors to depression, you will be better equipped to maintain your progress and prevent or minimize the intensity of future depressive episodes.
- Better emotional regulation – DBT focuses on emotional regulation so you can learn how to identify and tolerate distressing emotions more effectively.
- Improved interpersonal relationships – Relationships can suffer as a result of depression, so DBT helps you learn how to form and maintain healthier relationships, which can contribute to your overall well-being.
- Healthier coping mechanisms – Without strong coping skills, it can be tough to manage depressive symptoms. DBT empowers you to handle negative emotions and challenges more effectively to reduce their impact on your life.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy and other forms of talk therapy can help alleviate symptoms of depression. But if you have tried these without success, DBT may provide the results you are looking for.
Using DBT Techniques for Depression
Dialectical behavior therapy is comprised of mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness strategies. Here is how each of these components can help you manage depression symptoms:
Mindfulness
People with depression may feel emotionally fragile, especially during depressive episodes. Mindfulness, the core component of DBT, helps you cultivate present-moment awareness and non-judgmental observation of your thoughts and feelings. This can help increase emotional resilience and overall feelings of balance as you begin to realize you are not your thoughts.
Emotional Regulation
DBT can teach you how to regulate emotions through emotion labeling, problem-solving, and adaptive coping strategies. For example, when you start feeling stuck in a bad place emotionally, stop and try to label the emotions you are feeling. Then, sit with them for a while and just observe them without judgment. Doing this can reduce the charge these emotions have, allowing them to eventually dissipate.
Distress Tolerance
To reduce overwhelm, DBT helps you build tolerance for distressing situations and urges to engage in self-harm. You will learn crisis survival techniques and radical acceptance so you can navigate challenging emotions without resorting to self-destructive behaviors.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
To help preserve or develop healthy relationships, DBT teaches effective communication skills and assertiveness.
Contact 5 Palms to Get Started with Dialectical Behavior Therapy
If you are struggling with depression and believe that dialectical behavior therapy could benefit you, contacting 5 Palms is your first step toward recovery. Our compassionate and professional staff is ready to guide you through the intake process and tailor a treatment plan to your needs.
Don’t hesitate to reach out today and begin your journey toward improved mental health and well-being. Contact us online or call us at 1.844.675.1022 to schedule an intake assessment to determine if our DBT program is right for your recovery needs.