The Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Emphasis on the Distress Tolerance and Emotional Regulation on Depression Symptoms in Patients with Psychiatric Disorders

In psychosomatic disorder, focusing on the predominant pain, the individual suffers from physical symptoms and has persistent concerns that usually lead to symptoms of depression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of two components of distress tolerance and emotional regulation on depression in these patients. 

The research design was quasi-experimental (pre-test and post-test) with control group. The study population was female patients referred to a neurologist referred to a psychologist. Among them, 30 patients with depressive psychiatric disorders were selected by convenience sampling and divided into experimental and control groups. These patients were evaluated by diagnostic interview and second version of Beck Depression Inventory at pre-test, post-test and two-week follow-up. Then the experimental group received dialectical behavior therapy in 9 sessions (90 minutes). Multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was used to evaluate the efficacy of distress and emotion regulation training on psychiatric disorders (intervention group) and to compare it with the control group. 

The study was conducted in two groups of 15 people between 26-37 years. The results showed that after the required time to follow up, depression was significantly reduced in the treated group (P<0.01). 

Depending on the nature of the illness and the person's perception, psychiatric disorders are associated with other disorders such as depression and anxiety. Dialectical behavior therapy seems to reduce depression symptoms by affecting the components of distress tolerance and emotional adjustment.