Dialectical Behavior Therapy
A kind of treatment that aids BED patients in managing challenging feelings. It was first developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan, who also dealt with those with a borderline personality disorder or BPD. Like cognitive behavioral therapy, both methods include talking with patients to understand better and regulate their thoughts and actions.
Managing emotions and interacting with others are given a bit more attention in DBT, primarily because it was created as a therapy for BPD, a condition frequently characterized by abrupt mood and behavior changes that can make forming connections with other people difficult. DBT teaches patients to use four fundamental abilities, also called modules. Linehan refers to these four competencies as the “active components” of DBT.
Emotion regulation, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness are the four main components of DBT treatment. Both mindfulness and distress skills help BED patients to accept one’s thoughts and behaviors. Meanwhile, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness skills help BED patients work on changing one’s emotions and behavior. DBT is one promising therapy, but there are still areas that need to determine if it applies to all BED patients.
