I am still struggling over the DBT skills course. I’ve spent so many hours researching different aspects of the therapy, the doctor who came up with the idea, and about borderline personality disorder and autism. And still very little makes much sense. My biggest problem, apart from believing that DBT is controversial as a treatment for BPD and totally inappropriate as a treatment for those with autism, is that my scant research is revealing a mismatch of ‘facts’ in the story of the psychologist.
So on this Sunday I shall brighten my evening with a photograph of a ewe and lamb that I saw in the Lake District a few years ago.
And so to bed … as Samuel Pepys would have written. Except I’ve still got some homework to do. Bother and blast! Or words to that effect.
If you have enjoyed my post please like, share, and comment.
Thank you for reading.
marilyn unmasked 
My inner psychologist (okay, the younger me that got the psych degree, a wannabe-psychologist) is definitely intrigued! Can’t say I’m all that surprised though with mismatched facts and theories applied inappropriately. Sounds like you’re in need of plenty of light relief at the moment, Maz. Love this photo, so perfect! 😂
Caz xx
How wonderful – that’s a subject I would like to study. When I did my BEd I chose philosophy but was torn. Our eldest granddaughter is seriously considering choosing psychology at GCSE.
Briefly: diagnosed with BPD at 18, and confirmed that I still have ‘complex attachment disorder’ at my autism assessment in 2018 (50 years later! 😱) Had so much CBT +++ over the years. A few years ago I was going to have DBT input until decided that I use the skills already.
Now the ASD group is being given DBT skills using the Marsha Linehan Workbook. When it comes to my headspace I do not take on board anything that I have not verified as much as I possible can. What I would say about DBT and Miss Linehan would probably be considered as libellous! Sticking to facts I have gleaned from her own words, as well as articles she seems to have endorsed: she rejects diagnosis of schizophrenia and she self-diagnosed with BPD; she studied behavioural psychology from start to PhD in 8 years. Based on her own experience of having BPD she developed DBT. Offering reasons for her illness she told an audience in 2011 that she was obese, a heavy smoker, felt unloved, amongst other negative images, drawing tears from them more than once. In her memoire published this January she describes herself as an excellent student, popular with everyone, ‘the girl must likely to succeed’.
‘Facts’ from other sources: she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and not BPD because BPD had not been ‘discovered’ in 1963. The history of psychiatry in USA says otherwise.
I’ve found lots more, mostly conflicting, information. I would hazard a guess that if she does have mental health issues (she’s stated that she has taken no medication since she left hospital in 1963) it is more likely to be along the lines of covert narcissism. Back in the 2000s I worked as an ‘expert by experience’ with a group offering 3-day professional training courses on personality disorders.
Once again, sorry to go on at such length. I guess I’m just so angry that this stuff goes on and may affect people adversely. I’ll just keep going each week and put my two-pennarth in to open up the debate.
Would love your take on matters after what you wrote. Sounds like ‘inappropriate’ is not a new thing in this field.
Maz xxx