Last week the New York Times ran a fascinating piece on Marsha Linehan, Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington and the original developer of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), a modification of standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but including elements of acceptance and mindfulness. Her work has been designed specifically for people who harm themselves, for those diagnosed with borderline personality (BPT), and those who suffer from pervasive suicidal thoughts and/or attempts.
For the first time in her life, the mental health expert disclosed her own story (that we also discussed on the blog yesterday), which involved hospitalization at the age of 17 that lasted longer than two years.
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—Moreover, the “enduring stigma” of mental illness teaches people with such a diagnosis to think of themselves as “victims,” snuffing out the one thing that can motivate them to find treatment: hope.
Sorry, but that is grossly overstated, no one ought repeat it.
Harold A. Maio
khmaiO@earthlink.net
I believe in change. It happens with or without our approval. I have struggled with Clinical Depression, BPD, PTSD, Generalized Anxiety and any number of other disturbances. I have a profound Faith in GOD, my Redeemer. And Believe in Afterlife. Having said that, I still struggle with suicidal ideation. I know at times, life feels “too much”. Or I feel angry or important, and just want to “go away ” from the pain. As I look back over the numerous times I have taken between 4 and 9 Ativan SL , mostly I am just wanting a release from the present, persistent pains. Or my Loved One to acknowledge me.
I like the Ideals of DBT
JOdy
I read your submission and realized that my symptoms are so similar to yours.
Is there any way you could share any treatments that helped you ,because I am desperate to feel better
Thank you
I’m less concerned with feeling depressed, than with the need to feel happy. You don’t have to feel good for life to have value. There’s an article titled “In Praise of Melancholy” that discusses why our fascination with prescription treatments for depression is the wrong way to approach human feeling. We feel depression, because we are meant to, through sandenss we find our strength. The trick is that regardless of our feelings the important hing is to live, experience life, and seek that which is worth living for. Patience is required, but in billions of years that time passes, we glimpse a mere fragment of it, so we should not let go of it without facing the struggle head on! Never give up.
I have been a fan of dbt and Linehan for more years thatn I care to count. It is one of the few therapies that can help persons suffering from BPD- Borderline Personality Disorder. To say these people are in prison every day is no understatement. It does take courage to be a professional and also have issues. There is a lot of “snarking” but I think that the more people that come forward will help with this stigma within a stigma being eradicated. We teach what we learn and if we can learn to live with it then we can help others with their internal struggles. I think that is the best we can do and be in the world. Jesus said live fully. Let us all try.
My Diagnosis: Bipolar with Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, Manic Episodes, and Idiopathic Hypersomnia. Dr. Linehan is an inspiration to me. I am a high functioning professional who has had the difficult challenge of managing mental illness since a very young age. In spite of the neverending emotional rollercoaster, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Education and taught for 10 years. A little over a year ago I made a career change into post secondary education, and I am now the Senior Marketing and Admissions Coordinator at a university with 12 campuses across the US and 4 campuses in Canada. I balance work with motherhood, and I’ve accomplished many things that I can be proud of. I’ve become confident enough in myself and my personal and professional successes that I have chosen to “be the face of mental illness” for many. I, too, have shared my diagoses with those I work with so they might be able to open their minds and dispell some of their misconceptions they hold regarding mental illness. Some people may look at me differently or think less of me after finding out, but that’s the risk I’ve consciously chosen to take in order to help educate others about the realities mental illness. So, needless to say, I find Dr. Linehan’s acknowledgement of her own struggles with Borderline Personality Disorder very inspirational!
Hi, I just found out today that Marsha shared her “story” this summer with the world. I just finished reading her account of her early years of her struggle with mental illness. I think that is such a wonderful thing that she did, I mean sharing that very personal information to the world. And that has made my day, because all this time I thought how could this person who wrote the DBT manual “know” about these struggles so much. This has opened a Pandora’s Box will you say, that will make such an impact on millions of people who once thought they were alone with their histories can only be saying I have Hope. Hope that things can get better, and will get better because their is one of us that has done it. Thanks Marsha Linehan for your honesty and your integrity. You are someone that I Admire very much. Mary Hippen
I am a client of the DBT problem. I was in the program for 17 months before graduating to an Advanced DBT group (Which me and another client have started). I thank God everyday for DBT. It has literally saved my lived.
I joined a debt program back n august. Sept. Around there. This is the most progress I have ever had in my life. I’m 26 I have bipolar ptsd adhd major depression a.d major anxiety extra… suffered from cutting and terrible thoughts I have cut twice n ten weeks. This is an amazing program it is changing my life
“Took the First Course when introduced on the Southern Oregon Coast approx. 12 years ago. It Saved and Gave me a Life I could never Imagine. Wish everyone could benefit from these skill’s. It was a 3 year course to complete. Started with 25, and dwindled down to 2. I was the Person who finished, which was surprising. Didn’t mean I didn’t quit a few time’s. Lost a Best Friend during this time from Suicide. It was another call. I want to Thank Her, Counslers and All DBT folk’s.” I am alive today..”
iam a disabled veteran, and have been in dbt 6 months now, effectiveness is fully there.the va in west haven ct offers a great dbt course and has the best treaters and instructors thank you brett and vera from yale
At last a PHD who has seen the light, (pun intended.) The so called mental illnesses I have encountered are not of the mind, but maladies of the spirit.
Some of my clients have been helped immensely by Sweat Lodge. Now I have another tool in the box.
Thank you Marsha!!