Therapy

I'm just ASD, no ADHD for me but I hope I can be helpful nonetheless.

I managed to get group DBT through my university. I found it was very useful. It was very focused on practical strategies for managing certain things and the biological mechanisms behind reactions and feelings and separating them out and tackling them. It was very good for me as it was decided CBT would probably not work for me due to a variety of factors. I was recommended for it by a university councillor and my college nurse. 

In general very successful for me. Not a 100% solution but I don't think anything would be, and I'm miles better than I was two years ago, probably largely as a result of the DBT given not much else exterior changed in that time. It did take quite a lot of work, there was homework every week and discussions and you were expected to practice these skills regularly outside of sessions in order for them to become successful. But it was understood that not every technique is successful for everyone, and a big part of the course was learning what was good for you vs what wasn't suitable, particularly when it came to distress tolerance. I still use the skills regularly, that is rather the point. 

It is also most often delivered in a group setting. For some people this is too much to handle, with help it worked out better than I thought it would.

I needed some accommodations to take part, which were mostly around managing the stimuli in the room, one day when there was building work going on in the neighbouring building I needed to wear earplugs and I also had to do that for some of the 'thought sorting' exercises as , I had to have some things adapted for mindfulness sessions due to sensory sensitivities, but in general they were extremely accommodating. I did set that up before hand though so that all the staff were aware of what might be particularly challenging for me. It was also in a very large room for the number of people, so although I did leave one time for a break, most of the time I was able to just move to the back of the room for a little bit to stim and recalibrate. 

I am however aware that DBT is very hard to get hold of, particularly on the NHS, and is sometimes considered a specialist skill or programme to deliver. Most other clinicians I've spoken to are amazed that I have managed to get DBT.

I think I would have had the option for DBT but they do it as group therapy and I had requested individual therapy. I just don't think I'd be able to engage in a group, I'd be too self conscious.

I think I would have had the option for DBT but they do it as group therapy and I had requested individual therapy. I just don't think I'd be able to engage in a group, I'd be too self conscious.