Helping your loved on learn to be mindful, to focus, to breathe will help make the application of the modules be more effective. It is paramount to your success in helping him or her reducing stress and coping. I suggest going over this list with them when they are calm and in the mood to talk about this. Remember to ask them what works for them and what doesn't work for them. Have them do the talking. If they say "those skills don't work for me" ask them if they can point out what skills they have tried. Never ask a yes or no question. If they haven't tried them before ask what ones they would like to try first. Just pick a few at a time.
Remember: Sometimes the skills will not work. Go to the next step of a lot of self soothe, and distract activities.
The key to success is the practice of DBT skills. Overview of DBT skills (4 basic modules)
Using Crisis Survival: Distraction with Wise Mind Accepts A Activities C Contributing C Comparisons E Emotions - use opposite P Pushing Away T Thoughts S Sensations Using Self Soothe with five senses: Taste Smell See Hear Touch Using Improve the moment: I Imagery M Meaning P Prayer R Relaxation O One thing at a time V Vacation E Encouragement Using Pros and Cons Guidelines for Accepting Reality: Observing your Breath Half Smiling Awareness Willingness Radical Acceptance Turning your mind (Distract)
I am a mother of three wonderful children. One of them is fighting every day to survive a life with BPD. She is my insperation. My goal is to reach out to others and seek the support that we all deserve from each other.