A couple comments [was Re: Re: An Introduction and an Inquiry

[Guest guest]

deepvioletclouds@...:

What a beautiful e-mail name!

First a comment about labels. I hate them, too. :-) Every diagnosis sounds and looks scary. But I've learned from people in my DBT group that diagnoses help them know something "real" is amiss. I do understand that sense of wanting validation and help from mental health professionals. The other thing about a diagnosis is that it allows a person to get his/her help paid for by insurance. And qualify for social assistance. Of course, we all know there are problems in the health care delivery system in the USA, but if a person needs hospitalization or other crisis intervention, that's the way it works -- through evaluation by someone with the "right" credentials -- and accepting that while perhaps trying to effect changes to the system is a skillful way.

The distress tolerance skills in DBT are not intended to make one feel better. Their intention is to help someone in deep crisis or despair TOLERATE the distress. One moment at a time. What is better, having someone succomb to an urge and attempt suicide, or helping someone tone down urges and get through to live another day and grow in awareness and skillfulness? And in the interest of full disclosure, I have had those days where I couldn't imagine getting through to the next day, let alone growing in awareness and skillfulness. :-)

Laurel