A Mindful Way to Manage Extreme Emotions

Explosive emotions. Dysfunctional relationships. Self-harm and even suicidality—all can be hallmarks of borderline personality disorder (BPD). In this episode of Woman Worriers, host Elizabeth Cush and her guest, Rebekah Shackney talk about the challenges of living with BPD and offer hope for recovery through mindfulness-based Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Quotes:

“A lot of the maladaptive behaviors that people with borderline personality disorder use are just ways of dealing with crisis.”
— Rebekah Shackney

“People who are in such pain want to feel better.”
— Rebekah Shackney

“Being emotionally sensitive is part of your make-up but you can learn to adapt to it.” — Rebekah Shackney

“When women are expressing anger and emotional volatility, they’re usually turning it inside, doing something to harm themselves.” — Rebekah Shackney

“’Personality disorder’ sounds like there’s something wrong with your personality, when really it’s a trauma-based disorder.”
— Rebekah Shackney

Borderline… Narcissistic… Anti-social… Personality disorders can be an especially challenging and misunderstood mental health diagnosis, both for sufferers and for those around them. Fortunately, a mindfulness-based approach called Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been shown to be effective in treating people with personality disorders. In this week’s episode of the Woman Worriers podcast, host Elizabeth Cush, LCPC, a licensed professional therapist and founder of Progression Counseling in Annapolis, Md., welcomes Rebekah Shackney, LCSW, who uses DBT to help clients manage their distress, regulate their emotions and interact more effectively with others. They talk about what personality disorders are and the stigma surrounding them, how they are rooted in trauma and why the behaviors associated with personality disorders are so difficult to change. They also explore the unique story of how DBT was developed and how (and why) it can help people overcome the pain of living with a personality disorder.

Listen and learn:

Why Marsha Linehan developed Dialectical Behavior Therapy The purpose of each of DBT’s four modules of treatment Why distress tolerance is so useful for people with a personality disorder Why women with borderline personality disorder often resort to self harm, like cutting Why women with BPD can be so emotionally volatile—and how DBT helps with emotional regulation How DBT helps people with personality disorders get their needs met more effectively The role of mindfulness in DBT Why DBT is not a quick solution The characteristics of personality disorders—and how they come about Different types of personality disorders—including the one that women are diagnosed with most often and why Conditions that are necessary for effective treatment The role family groups play in personality disorders—and what it takes to interact more effectively Why relationships with individuals who have a personality disorder can be so difficult—and how to help The importance of empathy and overcoming the stigma and shame of personality disorders and other mental illnesses Where to find resources and the latest information on personality disorders

> Rebekah Shackney Psychotherapy on Facebook

>  A Therapist Takes Her Own Advice podcast

> A Therapist Takes Her Own Advice Season 1 Episode 13: Unraveling Anxiety with Elizabeth Cush

> A Therapist Takes Her Own Advice on Facebook

> A Therapist Takes Her Own Advice on Instagram

> Marsha Linehan’s Behavioral Tech website

> New York-Presbyterian’s Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center

> National Educational Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder

> Sign up for Elizabeth’s newsletter

> Progression Counseling