Distress Tolerance Techniques Flashcards

What does the skill "urge surfing" teach?

Answer: Observe an urge as a wave that rises and falls without acting

Urges peak and subside; the client watches them mindfully without acting.

Dialectical abstinence is used with clients who are:

Answer: Working on substance use, balancing abstinence with a plan for slips

It pairs a firm commitment to abstinence with a plan for returning quickly if a slip occurs.

What does "adamant avoidance" refer to in the DBT context?

Answer: Strongly committing to avoid cues and triggers for a behavior

Adamant avoidance is firmly avoiding cues that trigger a problem behavior during recovery.

Which of the following is the best example of the Meaning component of IMPROVE?

Answer: Finding purpose or value in a painful situation

Finding meaning means identifying some purpose, value, or growth in the pain.

A client takes a 20-minute break from a stressful day by turning off devices and sitting in a quiet room. Which IMPROVE element is this closest to?

Answer: Vacation

A brief vacation is a short, planned break from responsibilities.

Which situation is most appropriate for using the TIPP skills?

Answer: Extreme emotional arousal where thinking is hard

TIPP rapidly lowers physiological arousal when emotions are extremely high.

Which statement correctly describes crisis survival skills?

Answer: They help tolerate pain without making the situation worse

Crisis skills aim at surviving the moment without impulsive actions that worsen things.