efficacy of DBT

[lbd23]

Hi - I am new to this group. I have a 19 year old daughter with a long history of anxiety/depression/inappropriate relationships (not sexual). She has an inability to stick with many things - college work, jobs, friendships, etc. and causes significant chaos in our home. She is very dependent on us (her biological parents) and is socially isolated. In the past year, the diagnosis of BPD has seemed most appropriate and we found a well-respected DBT therapist - however, since she started treatment six months ago, things have only gotten worse - meaning even less stability, more hospitalizations, two suicide attempts and generally less ability to tolerate distress. We are starting to wonder if this is the right treatment - although it seems like it is - and are wondering if anyone has had good success with DBT for their young adult child. Most of the research we have read suggests DBT is better than some other therapies and better than doing nothing, but I have yet to see a study that shows great overall success. DBT is touted as the best practice for BPD - and yet I am losing confidence.
Thank you.

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[473harman]

Hi - is it truly a BPD diagnosis?
DBT typically helps, but not for all

[Naughty Nibbler]

Hi lbd23:   

Is you daughter on any meds for depression and anxiety?  If therapy alone won't work, sometime meds can help things along.  Also, sometime they have to try different meds to get the best one or combo.

[wendydarling]

Hi lbd23 and welcome to bpdfamily.    I'm so very sorry to hear your daughter's stability has gotten worse during DBT and you are losing confidence. Hang in there with us, you are not alone. Has the therapist/mental health advisor/psychiatrist provided their view of the last 6 months and the plan going forward? Some sound answers to your questions may provide you confidence and hope moving forward. Good to question the meds too, my 28yr daughter started DBT end May and spent June/July highly depressed and anxious/panic attacks which I could see interfered with treatment. Her meds were changed, depression and anxiety at bay come August and she is now able to concentrate all her efforts on DBT and making good progress, small steps work.

Are you familiar with the helpful tools and lessons to the right of the screen? Like many I have found them really useful.

Walking with you

WDx

[Reforming]

Hi lbd23

I'm sorry that things aren't improving with your daughter at the moment. I understand that is feels frustrating and upsetting.

Having a loved one your life with BPD can be very hard and challenging.

DBT has a good track record with the treating with the disorder but it can take considerable time to see results - sometimes 1 to 2 years - and the early stages can be particularly challenging for the sufferer and their loved ones. It's not uncommon for things to get worse before they get better.

BPD is frequently co-morobid (co exists) with other conditions like anxiety, depression and as naughty nibbler suggests meds could help to treat some of your daughter's symptoms while the DBT is working to address the underlying condition. This is a pretty common treatment model.

You mentioned that you've been reading a lot about PBD. If you have the time and inclination it's worth reading John Gunderson's Borderline Personality Disorder: A Clinical Guide. He is one of the leading authorities on BPD and the book is fairly digestible and filled with helpful advice and insights that draw on decades of experience treating the disorder.

Finally if you and your daughter feel the DBT isn't working and you could explore other therapies. Schema Therapy was developed to treat people with personality disorders and recent research suggest that it can be a very effective tool

Good luck and keep posting

Reforming