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From DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets, Second Edition  by Marsha M. Linehan. Copyright 2015 by Marsha M. Linehan. Permission 
to photocopy this handout is granted to purchasers of this book for personal use only (see copyright page for details). distress tolerance Handout 3  
When to u se crisis Survival Skills
you are in a cri SiS when the situation is:
••Highly stressful.
••Short-term (that is, it won’t last a long time).
••Creates intense pressure to resolve the crisis now .
uSe cri SiS Survival Skill S when:
1. You have intense pain that cannot be helped quickly.
2. You want to act on your emotions, but it will only make things worse.
3. Emotion mind threatens to overwhelm you, and you need to stay skillful.
4. You are overwhelmed, yet demands must be met.
5. Arousal is extreme, but problems can’t be solved immediately.
Don’ T uSe cri SiS Survival Skill S for:
••Everyday problems.
••Solving all your life problems.
••Making your life worth living.