ABSTRACT
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), developed by Marsha Linehan, is a comprehensive treatment program based on cognitive and behavioral principles that are complemented by acceptance-based strategies derived primarily from Zen Buddhism. Originally designed for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and self-injurious behaviors, DBT has been shown to significantly improve the outcome in this population. Because of its efficacy in treating BPD, clinicians and researchers have become interested in the application of DBT to other difficult, refractory, or chronic conditions, including eating disorders. Moreover, comorbid BPD is common among eating disorder patients, and self-injurious and suicidal behaviors also are common (see Chapter 9). One recent report found that approximately 20% of women with an eating disorder diagnosis endorsed an episode of self-harm in the previous 6 months, and one-third of these indicated self-injuring at least several times per month (1).
