What is target 1 behavior?

Table of Contents

1st Stage Targets •Decreasing or eliminating life-threatening behaviors (suicide attempts, suicidal thinking, self-injury, homicidal and aggressive behaviors) DBT Treatment Targets The treatment targets in order of priority are: Life-threatening behaviors: First and foremost, behaviors that could lead to the client’s death are targeted, including suicide communications, suicidal ideation, and all forms of suicidal and non-suicidal self-injury. There are three targets for an individual DBT therapist in stage 1: To eliminate life-threatening behavior, reduce therapy-interfering behavior and reduce quality of life interfering behavior. Life-threatening behavior includes suicidal thoughts, urges and attempts as well as self-harm. Examples of target behaviors: reducing the amount of cigarettes smoked; leaving the house more often; attending more social functions; going on daily walks; decreasing avoidance or procrastination. Life-threatening behaviours include deliberate self-harm and urges to engage in self-harm. Harm to others takes precedence over harm to self. An actual act of harm takes precedence over an urge. A potentially lethal overdose would take precedence over minor scratches. The most common high-risk behaviors include violence, alcoholism, tobacco use disorder, risky sexual behaviors, and eating disorders.