How to Teach and Practice Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, and Mindfulness for BPD: A Review of Skills Training Manual by Marsha M. Linehan
Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder by Marsha M. Linehan
Do you or someone you know struggle with borderline personality disorder (BPD)? Do you want to learn how to cope better with your emotions, relationships, and distress? If so, you might benefit from reading Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder by Marsha M. Linehan.
Skills Training Manual For Treating Borderline Personality Disorder Marsha M. Linehan.epub
This book is a step-by-step guide to teaching clients four sets of skills: interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. These skills are part of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a comprehensive treatment program for people with BPD developed by Dr. Linehan.
In this article, we'll give you an overview of what BPD is, what DBT is, what are the four sets of skills in DBT, how to use the skills training manual effectively, how effective the manual is based on evidence and research, and who can benefit from it.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition that affects how people think, feel, and relate to others. People with BPD often have intense emotions that are hard to control, unstable relationships that are marked by conflict and fear of abandonment, impulsive behaviors that can be harmful or self-destructive, a distorted sense of self that can change depending on the situation or mood, and chronic feelings of emptiness or boredom.
People with BPD also tend to have difficulty coping with stress, anger, and negative emotions. They may experience episodes of dissociation, paranoia, or suicidal thoughts. They may also have other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or eating disorders.
BPD affects about 1.6% of the adult population in the United States, and it is more common in women than in men. The causes of BPD are not fully understood, but they may involve a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and social factors. BPD usually develops in adolescence or early adulthood, and it can have a significant impact on a person's functioning and well-being.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that was created by Dr. Marsha M. Linehan, a psychologist and professor at the University of Washington. DBT was originally designed to treat people with BPD who were suicidal or self-harming, but it has since been adapted to treat other mental health problems as well.
DBT is based on the idea that people with BPD have difficulties regulating their emotions and behaviors because they lack certain skills or abilities. DBT aims to help them learn and practice these skills so that they can cope better with their challenges and achieve their goals.
DBT has two main components: individual therapy and group skills training. In individual therapy, the client works with a therapist to identify and address their problems, motivations, and obstacles. In group skills training, the client learns and practices the four sets of skills in DBT with other clients and a skills trainer.
DBT also involves other elements, such as phone coaching, consultation team, homework assignments, and diary cards. DBT is usually delivered in a comprehensive and intensive manner over a period of at least one year.
What are the Four Sets of Skills in DBT?
The four sets of skills in DBT are interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. These skills are based on principles from CBT, behavior therapy, dialectics, Zen Buddhism, and other sources. They are designed to help people with BPD improve their quality of life and reduce their suffering.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Interpersonal effectiveness skills are about how to improve relationships, communicate assertively, and cope with conflict. These skills can help people with BPD achieve their objectives in interpersonal situations, maintain their self-respect and dignity, and balance their needs and wants with those of others.
Some examples of interpersonal effectiveness skills are:
DEAR MAN: A mnemonic for how to ask for what you want or say no effectively. It stands for Describe, Express, Assert, Reinforce, Mindful, Appear confident, Negotiate.
GIVE: A mnemonic for how to maintain positive relationships. It stands for Gentle, Interested, Validate, Easy manner.
FAST: A mnemonic for how to maintain self-respect. It stands for Fair, Apologies (no excessive), Stick to values, Truthful.
Emotion Regulation
Emotion regulation skills are about how to identify, understand, and manage emotions. These skills can help people with BPD reduce their emotional vulnerability, increase their positive emotions, and cope with negative emotions.
Some examples of emotion regulation skills are:
CHECK THE FACTS: A skill for changing emotions that don't fit the facts of the situation. It involves identifying the emotion and its intensity, checking whether it matches the facts or not, and changing it if necessary.
OPPOSITE ACTION: A skill for changing emotions that don't fit one's goals or values. It involves identifying the emotion and its action urge, checking whether it is justified or not, and doing the opposite action if not.
BUILD POSITIVE EXPERIENCES: A skill for increasing positive emotions in the short-term and long-term. It involves doing pleasant activities that make one feel good or proud, planning ahead for them, and savoring them.
Distress Tolerance
Distress tolerance skills are about how to cope with crisis, pain, and distress. These skills can help people with BPD survive difficult situations without making them worse or resorting to harmful or self-destructive behaviors.
Some examples of distress tolerance skills are:
```html ACCEPTS: A skill for distracting oneself from distressing thoughts and feelings. It stands for Activities (doing something else), Contributing (helping others), Comparisons (comparing oneself to others who are worse off), Emotions (provoking different emotions), Pushing away (blocking out the situation), Thoughts (thinking about something else), Sensations (focusing on physical sensations).
IMPROVE THE MOMENT: A skill for making a bad situation better. It stands for Imagery (imagining a relaxing or pleasant scene), Meaning (finding a purpose or value in the situation), Prayer (asking for help or guidance from a higher power), Relaxation (doing something soothing or calming), One thing in the moment (focusing on one aspect of the situation), Vacation (taking a break from the situation), Encouragement (giving oneself positive affirmations or pep talks).
PROS AND CONS: A skill for weighing the advantages and disadvantages of coping or not coping with distress. It involves making a list of the pros and cons of tolerating the distress versus escaping or avoiding it, and comparing them.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness skills are about how to be aware, present, and nonjudgmental in the moment. These skills can help people with BPD reduce their reactivity, increase their clarity, and enhance their experience.
Some examples of mindfulness skills are:
OBSERVE: A skill for paying attention to what is happening inside and outside oneself. It involves noticing sensations, thoughts, feelings, sounds, sights, smells, tastes, and movements without labeling or evaluating them.
DESCRIBE: A skill for putting words to what one observes. It involves using factual and descriptive language without adding interpretations or opinions.
PARTICIPATE: A skill for fully engaging in what one is doing. It involves acting intuitively and spontaneously without being self-conscious or detached.
NONJUDGMENTALLY: A skill for accepting reality as it is without judging it as good or bad. It involves being open and curious rather than critical or rigid.
ONE-MINDFULLY: A skill for focusing on one thing at a time without being distracted by other things. It involves letting go of the past and the future and being in the present.
EFFECTIVELY: A skill for doing what works in a given situation without being attached to one's ego or emotions. It involves being flexible and pragmatic rather than stubborn or moralistic.
How to Use the Skills Training Manual?
The skills training manual is a resource that can help people with BPD learn and practice the four sets of skills in DBT. The manual is written for application in skills training groups, but it can also be used with individual clients or for self-help purposes.
The manual is divided into four modules, each corresponding to one set of skills. Each module contains several chapters that cover different aspects of the skills. Each chapter includes lecture notes, discussion questions, exercises, and practical advice on what problems are likely to arise and how best to deal with them. The manual also features an array of client handouts that may be readily photocopied and used as homework sheets.
The manual is designed to be used in conjunction with individual therapy and other components of DBT. The recommended format for skills training groups is to meet once a week for 2-2.5 hours over a period of 24 weeks. The groups are led by a trained skills trainer who follows the manual closely and teaches the skills in a clear and engaging way. The groups are composed of 6-8 clients who are motivated to learn and practice the skills.
Structure and Format
A typical skills training group session consists of three parts:
Homework review: The first part of the session is devoted to reviewing the homework assignments from the previous week. The skills trainer checks whether the clients completed their homework, asks them to share their experiences and difficulties with using the skills, gives them feedback and suggestions, and reinforces their efforts and progress.
New skill teaching: The second part of the session is devoted to teaching a new skill or concept from the manual. The skills trainer uses the lecture notes, discussion questions, exercises, and examples from the manual to explain and demonstrate the skill or concept. The skills trainer also encourages the clients to ask questions, participate in the exercises, and relate the skill or concept to their own situations.
Homework assignment: The third part of the session is devoted to assigning homework for the next week. The skills trainer gives each client a handout that summarizes the skill or concept taught in the session and provides exercises and practice suggestions. The skills trainer also explains the homework assignment, answers any questions, and reminds the clients of the importance and benefits of doing homework.
Tips and Advice
Some practical suggestions on how to make the most of the skills training process are:
Be consistent and committed: Attend the skills training sessions regularly, complete the homework assignments diligently, and practice the skills daily.
Be open and curious: Listen to the skills trainer and other clients attentively, ask questions when you don't understand something, and try new things without judging them.
Be respectful and supportive: Treat the skills trainer and other clients with respect and kindness, avoid interrupting or criticizing them, and offer them encouragement and feedback.
Be honest and responsible: Share your thoughts and feelings honestly, admit your mistakes and difficulties, and take responsibility for your actions and choices.
Be patient and optimistic: Recognize that learning and practicing new skills takes time and effort, expect some setbacks and challenges, and celebrate your achievements and improvements.
How Effective is the Skills Training Manual?
The skills training manual is based on evidence and research that show its effectiveness in treating people with BPD. Several studies have compared DBT, which includes skills training, with other treatments or no treatment for people with BPD. The results have consistently shown that DBT is superior to other treatments or no treatment in reducing suicidal behavior, self-harm, depression, anger, impulsivity, substance use, hospitalization, dropout, and interpersonal problems among people with BPD. The results have also shown that DBT is effective in increasing emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, self-esteem, social functioning, and quality of life among people with BPD.
Some examples of studies that support the effectiveness of the skills training manual are:
Linehan et al. (1991): This was the first randomized controlled trial that compared DBT with treatment as usual (TAU) for 44 women with BPD who were chronically suicidal. The results showed that DBT was more effective than TAU in reducing suicidal behavior, self-harm, anger, hopelessness, depression, dropout, and hospitalization among these women.
Linehan et al. (2006): This was a randomized controlled trial that compared DBT with comprehensive validation therapy plus 12-step (CVT+S) for 101 women with BPD who were substance dependent. The results showed that DBT was more effective than CVT+S in reducing substance use, suicidal behavior, self-harm, depression, dropout, and inpatient days among these women.
```html McMain et al. (2009): This was a randomized controlled trial that compared DBT with general psychiatric management (GPM) for 180 patients with BPD. The results showed that both DBT and GPM were effective in reducing suicidal behavior, self-harm, depression, anxiety, anger, impulsivity, global functioning, social adjustment, and quality of life among these patients. However, DBT was more effective than GPM in reducing emergency room visits and medical severity of self-harm.
Stiglmayr et al. (2014): This was a randomized controlled trial that compared DBT skills training group plus individual therapy (DBT-ST) with unstructured group plus individual therapy (UG) for 106 patients with BPD. The results showed that both DBT-ST and UG were effective in reducing suicidal behavior, self-harm, depression, anxiety, stress, and dissociation among these patients. However, DBT-ST was more effective than UG in increasing emotion regulation and mindfulness skills.
Who Can Benefit from the Skills Training Manual?
The skills training manual can benefit different groups of people who are affected by BPD in different ways. These groups include clients with BPD, clinicians and therapists who work with them, and family members and friends who care about them.
Clients with BPD
Clients with BPD can benefit from the skills training manual by learning and practicing the four sets of skills in DBT. These skills can help them cope better with their emotions, relationships, and distress. They can also help them achieve their goals, improve their well-being, and reduce their suffering.
Some examples of how the skills training manual can help clients with BPD are:
Interpersonal effectiveness skills can help them communicate their needs and wants clearly and respectfully, resolve conflicts constructively, and maintain healthy boundaries.
Emotion regulation skills can help them understand and label their emotions accurately, reduce their emotional intensity and reactivity, and increase their positive emotions.
Distress tolerance skills can help them survive crisis situations without making them worse or harming themselves or others, and accept reality as it is without fighting or escaping it.
Mindfulness skills can help them be more aware and present in the moment, reduce their rumination and worry, and enhance their experience of life.
Clinicians and Therapists
Clinicians and therapists who work with clients with BPD can benefit from the skills training manual by using it as a tool to deliver evidence-based treatment. The manual can help them teach the four sets of skills in DBT to their clients in a structured and effective way. It can also help them monitor their clients' progress and provide them with feedback and support.
Some examples of how the skills training manual can help clinicians and therapists are:
The manual provides them with a clear and comprehensive curriculum for skills training groups or individual sessions.
The manual includes lecture notes, discussion questions, exercises, and practical advice on how to teach each skill or concept.
The manual features client handouts that summarize each skill or concept and provide exercises and practice suggestions.
The manual helps them address common problems or difficulties that may arise during skills training, such as resistance, confusion, or lack of motivation.
Family Members and Friends
Family members and friends of people with BPD can benefit from the skills training manual by using it as a resource to understand and support their loved ones better. The manual can help them learn more about what BPD is, what DBT is, what are the four sets of skills in DBT, how to use them effectively, how to cope with their own emotions and stress, and how to communicate and interact with their loved ones in a helpful way.
Some examples of how the skills training manual can help family members and friends are:
The manual can help them empathize with their loved ones' struggles and challenges.
The manual can help them recognize their loved ones' strengths and achievements.
The manual can help them apply the skills to their own situations and emotions.
The manual can help them reinforce their loved ones' efforts and progress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder by Marsha M. Linehan is a valuable resource for anyone who is affected by BPD in any way. The manual is a step-by-step guide to teaching clients four sets of skills: interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. These skills are part of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a comprehensive treatment program for people with BPD developed by Dr. Linehan.
The manual is based on evidence and research that show its effectiveness in reducing suicidal behavior, self-harm, depression, anger, impulsivity, substance use, hospitalization, dropout, and interpersonal problems among people with BPD. The manual is also effective in increasing emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, self-esteem, social functioning, and quality of life among people with BPD.
The manual can benefit different groups of people who are affected by BPD in different ways. These groups include clients with BPD, clinicians and therapists who work with them, and family members and friends who care about them. The manual can help them learn and practice the skills, cope better with their emotions, relationships, and distress, and improve their well-being and happiness.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the manual and BPD:
Q: Where can I buy the manual?A: You can buy the manual online or in bookstores. The manual is published by Guilford Press and costs $50.00.
Q: Do I need to have a diagnosis of BPD to use the manual?A: No, you don't need to have a diagnosis of BPD to use the manual. The manual can be useful for anyone who wants to learn and