Canadian Bipolar Disorder Study Reinforces Methodology of the Meehl Foundation DBT Program

HOUSTON, April 18, 2014 The finding that "Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) reduces depressive symptoms, improves affective control, and improves mindfulness self-efficiency" are not surprising to the Meehl Foundation DBT therapists, who have been using DBT since the start of the foundation in 2005.  The step-by-step process of emotional regulation is a core component of DBT rarely taught to the general public let alone people with mental illness. "A randomized, controlled, pilot study of dialectical behavior therapy skills in a psycho-educational group for individuals with bipolar disorder," has just been completed.   This study shows significant improvement in mindfulness awareness, less fear and more control in emotional states and fewer emergency room visits.  Having a measure of control in emotional states is the key component. 

No one likes to "feel" out of control.  DBT mindfulness is the key to learning the "what" and the "how" skills to taking control of your own mind.  Learning that you do not have to believe every thought you think, is the first step to emotional regulation and reducing your distraught feelings.   Learning then, the skills to radical acceptance and "letting go" are the set of skills used to learn distress tolerance which increase your threshold of tolerance to feeling upset. When you increase your threshold to tolerate being emotional you can then make better choices in any situation. 

Bipolar Disorder is still under diagnosed and misdiagnosed.  Not surprisingly, Borderline Personality Disorder - characterized by maladaptive coping skills, has been clinically proven to affect 50% of people with Bipolar Disorder.  The thought behind this, is that people struggle desperately to manage their chemical imbalance of the brain, eventually not being able to cope well with life's challenges, producing a personality disorder.  Many of the characteristics of Bipolar Disorder are carried over to BPD.  The correct therapy and the correct medication change lives. The Gold standard for years has been DBT therapy. Having an "intensively trained" DBT therapist is the key to leading you to a calmer and richer life.

Debra Meehl speaks at national conferences around the U.S. on the topic "Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder with Substance Abuse." She teaches, works, and lives the Dialectical Behavioral principles, while operating The Meehl Foundation.  The Meehl House is the only residential treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder that is an "Amen Brain Healthy Program." Clients benefit from an individual plan for a holistic balanced approach to mental wellness with psychological testing and assessment, medication management, hypnosis, acupuncture, hair follicle testing for vitamins and minerals, hormone balancing, and nutritional counseling.  Most important, clients learn how to take back and create lives that are fulfilling and rewarding.

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