Goally Penguin Logo with Sunglasses

Goally

Get

Goally

What are Distress Tolerance Skills?

Home>>Neurodiversopedia>>D Terms

Summary

summary

What are distress tolerance skills? Think of them as the tools your kid can use to handle stress or upset feelings without losing control or acting out. They’re a way of managing challenging emotions and delivering calm from chaos.

Frequently Asked Question

donut

What are distress tolerance skills?

Distress tolerance skills are tools used to help kids manage stress and negative emotions without losing control or acting out.

How are distress tolerance skills used?

They’re used as a core part of DBT therapy, helping individuals withstand negative emotions like sadness, anger, or overwhelm in healthy ways.

How can my child develop distress tolerance skills?

Through practice of techniques like distraction, self-soothing, positive thinking, and acceptance, a child can gradually develop these skills.

Are distress tolerance skills effective for kids with special needs?

Yes, these skills can be especially beneficial for kids with special needs, often improving emotional resiliency and overall well-being.

Scientific Definition

scientist

In a more clinical scope, distress tolerance skills are critical elements in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). These skills enable individuals to withstand and endure negative emotions healthily. Studies indicate that distress tolerance skills can significantly improve emotional well-being in individuals with high emotional sensitivity.

Look at a scenario involving our kiddo sidekick, Charlie. In this narrated exploration, we’ll see first-hand how distress tolerance skills can come into play in real-life situations.

  • Charlie’s favorite toy breaks, and he feels a deep sense of disappointment. But he doesn’t throw a fit. Instead, Charlie uses distress tolerance skills, takes a deep breath, and talks about his feelings.
  • Charlie feels overwhelmed by the noise and excitement during a birthday party. Again, his distress tolerance skills come to the rescue. He retreats to a quiet space, reading a book until he feels ready to rejoin the fun.
  • Charlie is upset because he lost at a game. With his distress tolerance skills, he can handle his disappointment well. He congratulates the game-winner, reshapes his thoughts, and is willing to play again.
Scenario Distress Tolerance Skill Utilized
Broken favorite toy Deep breathing, expressing feelings verbally
Overwhelmed at a party Retreating to a quiet space, engaging in calming activity
Loss at a game Positive self-talk, willingness to try again

Remember, every child’s journey with distress tolerance skills differs. The key is practice and persistence.

How are Distress Tolerance Skills Used?

Distress tolerance skills act like mental tools to help kids cope with challenging feelings. How does this work? Let’s take a look:

  • Distraction: A child turns their attention to something less stressful.
  • Self-Soothing: Calming activities like listening to music or drawing can help a child relax.
  • Improving the Moment: The child uses positive thinking to change mood.
  • Acceptance: Teaching the child that it’s okay to experience and acknowledge tough emotions.

Wrap-up: Every kid is unique, and what works best may vary. The good news is that there’s a whole kit of tools in distress tolerance that can help. With some time and practice, these skills can become second nature to your kids, providing them with better-coping mechanisms in the face of distress.