Distress Tolerance Skills

DBT emphasizes learning to bear pain skillfully because pain and distress are part of life and cannot be entirely avoided. Tolerance is necessary during any behavior change because impulsive behavior would interfere. Distress tolerance is the ability to perceive the environment as it is, without demanding that it be different.

pain + non-acceptance = suffering pain + acceptance = ordinary pain

Practice Makes Perfect

Distress Tolerance Skills are meant to help us survive crisis, but need to be practiced before a crisis occurs. Skills are helpful when we cannot sort out our emotions. These skills are to be used when a crisis cannot be avoided. An important concept is acceptance of reality. Read more about each of these skills by selecting one from below: