Interpersonal Effectiveness seems dumb?

@JASCHUYLER

Those of us who're people pleasers generally use a lot of the GIVE skills in our daily life, so interpersonal effectiveness as a module can seem like it's going to be a waste of time. It might be that all the skills in Interpersonal are already learned behaviours for you -- in which case, that's awesome! Use it to solidify what you already know. It's okay if it comes easily.

On the other hand, it sounds like you could maybe benefit from some of the DEAR MAN stuff (and maybe FAST), and perhaps also working out when it's important to press for your own needs etc? Those are the skills I need the most work on as well, so I related to a lot of what you said. The other reason I think those might be indicated is because you mention that the person who has "caused" the panic attack ends up being the one who "has" to help you through it -- so there might be some subconscious passive-aggression there? I'm not saying you're being a jerk, or anything at all like that! But just the way you phrased it made me think that it's possible that using skills to be more assertive (and managing your emotions at the same time) could really be helpful.

Please know that I'm not trying to say "this is how it is for you", only "this is how it might be, based on my perspective over here". I hope this reply has been useful, and that DBT continues to help you in your growth and recovery - even if this module doesn't!