How DBT Can Help You Reduce Anxiety and Worry


Living with anxiety and chronic worry can be overwhelming and exhausting. It can feel like a constant battle against your own mind, with thoughts racing and a constant feeling of unease. If you are struggling with anxiety, you may have heard of various treatment options, but have you considered Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)? DBT is a highly effective therapy that can provide you with the tools and strategies to reduce anxiety and worry, helping you regain control of your life.

DBT was developed by psychologist Marsha M. Linehan in the late 1980s and initially aimed to treat individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder. However, over time, DBT has proven to be beneficial for individuals with various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders. DBT combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and Eastern philosophical principles to help individuals develop skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

One of the key aspects of DBT that makes it particularly helpful for anxiety is the emphasis on mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally paying attention to the present moment without judgment. When we are anxious, our minds tend to race with worries about the future or past events, keeping us trapped in a cycle of fear and stress. By practicing mindfulness, we can learn to observe our thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them. This allows us to respond to anxiety with curiosity and compassion, rather than reacting impulsively or avoiding certain situations.

Another important component of DBT is learning skills for emotional regulation. Anxiety often accompanies intense emotions that can feel overwhelming. DBT can teach you strategies to identify and manage these emotions effectively. By learning to recognize and label your emotions, you can develop better coping mechanisms for dealing with anxiety-inducing situations. Strategies such as deep breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and self-soothing activities can help you calm your mind and body when anxiety strikes.

Distress tolerance skills are also a crucial part of DBT. These skills help you cope with crisis and high-stress situations without making impulsive or destructive choices. Anxiety can often lead to impulsive behaviors like substance abuse or self-harm, as individuals desperately seek relief from their distress. By learning distress tolerance skills, you can build resilience and find healthier ways to manage anxiety. These skills may include distraction techniques, self-soothing activities, or improving your ability to tolerate discomfort.

Lastly, interpersonal effectiveness is another focus of DBT. Anxiety can often impact our relationships and communication with others. By developing skills in assertiveness, effective communication, and setting healthy boundaries, individuals can lower their anxiety levels in social situations. DBT provides tools for effectively expressing needs and wants, while also taking into account the needs of others. This can greatly reduce anxiety that arises from worrying about how others perceive us or fearing rejection.

While DBT is a highly effective therapy for anxiety, it is essential to remember that everyone’s journey is unique. The success of DBT depends on your commitment to actively engage in therapy and practice the skills learned outside of sessions. Working with a trained DBT therapist can help you tailor the therapy to your specific needs and provide guidance throughout the process.

If you are ready to take control of your anxiety and reduce your worries, consider exploring the benefits of DBT. By incorporating mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills into your life, you can find relief from anxiety and live a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Remember that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but rather an act of courage and self-care. Don’t let anxiety dictate your life – take the first step towards reducing anxiety and worry with DBT.