Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Sugar_Coated_Owl

Has anyone any experience of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy? If so, what is it like and did you find it helpful?

I'm currently in hospital and being referred to The Cassel in Richmond but I'm not sure I want to go IP again. I'm thinking of doing DBT in the community instead but wanted peoples opinion on it before I make up my mind.

Millie2008_2

*wavey* Jo

I've never "had" it myself, but we did a bit of training in it as part of my counselling course and it looks like it has huge potential, especially for BPD

Can you do DBT based therapy while IP for a while and see how it goes? Or does it tend to be offered on an OP basis?

The other approach to look at is mentalisation based therapy, which I have some experience of as a patient - I can recommend that too

hth xx

Sugar_Coated_Owl

Hi Millie,

The Cassel doesn't do DBT they have a different approach but I could if I wanted to decline going to the Cassel and opt to do DBT in the community.

Millie2008_2

Any idea what their approach is?

What do your treatment team think? Do they think you can manage ok as an OP, or would they prefer you to stay IP a while longer?

The other thing to consider is the waiting list for DBT, as it can be quite long IME, would you get any other support in the meantime?

Sorry, hehe, I've probably confuzzled you now xx

Sugar_Coated_Owl

The Cassel has a hollistic approach. It's a therapeutic community.

My team said they would support whatever decision I made.

I would continue to receive support from my social worker weekly/fortnightly.

whitewing

Oh, such a tricky one Jo. DBT is what was suggested would be helpful for Amy Winehouse, and is also tailored to borderline personality disorder, so should be great for you.

However, if I recall correctly, you are still self harming so am wondering if the Cassell hospital (which looks really good online) would be more beneficial, and keep you safer.

To be honest I think it would be like strawberries and nectarines (or apples and oranges as the phrase normally is). Both have their good points and either would probably help you tremendously.

Shame you can't do dbt and go to the Cassel.

Where would you be living if you were out of hospital? Would that be the right environment for you in between therapy sessions?

Sugar_Coated_Owl

I'm not self-harming anymore (it's been 3 weeks).

Initially I'd be living with my Dad and brother. It is OK there.

jenniewb

Hi, I just wanted to add my input because I was suggested the Cassel not so long ago. I put it off because like you, I don't think I want to be an inpatient again, I think there are so many issues tied to that for me that I would avoid it if I could though at the time and perhaps again I will think it feels like a good idea because I don't feel able to cope. Its about how you feel at the time I guess.

I spoke to a friend wh knew someone who stayed there, I wasn't aware of the person in question but the person she knows is a very good friend of mine and we actually stayed together in a different theraputic community together for over a year (its since been closed for funding issues which is very sad as it was a very good place).

My friend told me that it is very much about a community more so then focusing on treatment. Treatment is available but the bulk of the stuff happens within the community, her comment was "its a lot about having to look after other peoples kids for a while when they have their breakdown/therapy/family issue and this can be difficult when your already struggling". To me, this did concern me not least of all because I had seen this as perhaps one of my only options so not so good to hear!

I should add, this info has come to me second hand, its not from someone who has lived there but via a friend of someone who has lived there, the problem is though that all 3 of us have stayed for quite a duration in a theraputic community and also have been inpaitents for psychiatric hospitals. We are on the same wave-legnth when it comes to things like this.

I would suggest- and this is what I will do if it becomes plausable for me again (big possibility there sadly) to see if you can visit, if you can speak to a few residents and get their opinions on the place and also see what if any info they have on people who have left: if people relapse and go back, if people still need the same or even more treatment, if people have anything set up...etc. I know from my own experience that leaving somewhere that had become a stable place for quite a while can make of break a relapse, its negatively affected me before and this is one of my biggest concerns.

Sugar_Coated_Owl

Hi jennie, I have to go for a nursing assessment and then if that goes well I get to spend half a day at The Cassel and then a whole day.