This week's lesson is opposite action. Generally, certain emotions illicit certain natural responses: when we're feeling angry we want to attack (either physically or verbally); when we feel guilt or shame we want to hide; when we feel fear we want to run or avoid. When we have these intense emotions, the actions they illicit lead to an even more intense emotional response. An emotion/action cycle is started, and once started, it's hard to stop.
The DBT skill of opposite action stops the emotion/action cycle by getting the gears to start working in the opposite direction. The idea is that by changing your action you can change your emotion. For example, the opposite action for fear is to approach or engage. By approaching and engaging rather than running and avoiding you diminish the fear. An important aspect of opposite action is doing the action wholeheartedly. No showing up to a party (or whatever causes fear) and sitting in the corner. You have to engage with mind, body and soul.
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