Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that focuses on the development of mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills.
Eating disorders are a complex and often misunderstood mental health condition that affect millions of people worldwide. Although the root causes of eating disorders vary from person to person, they often involve a combination of psychological, social, and biological factors. While there are many different approaches to treating eating disorders, one form of therapy that has gained attention in recent years is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
DBT is a form of therapy that was initially developed in the 1980s by psychologist Dr Marsha Linehan as a way to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder. However, since then, it has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including eating disorders.
DBT is based on the idea that individuals with eating disorders struggle with emotional regulation and often use maladaptive coping mechanisms, such as disordered eating, to manage their emotions.
DBT teaches individuals a variety of skills for managing emotions, such as identifying and labeling emotions, practicing relaxation techniques, and developing healthy coping mechanisms. By developing these skills, individuals can learn to tolerate difficult emotions without resorting to maladaptive coping mechanisms, such as binge eating or purging.
DBT teaches individuals a variety of skills for improving interpersonal relationships, such as effective communication, assertiveness, and boundary-setting. By developing these skills, individuals can improve their relationships with others and reduce the stress and anxiety that may contribute to disordered eating behaviours.
