Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

For DSCATT, ACT is proposed to help participants identify values, set value-consistent goals and manage illness-related uncertainty. The protocol cites evidence that ACT can reduce negative emotions across several clinical and caregiving populations. ACT aims to reduce the behavioral influence of unhelpful thoughts rather than directly changing thought content. A prior pilot of the DSCATT-specific therapy in seven people received largely positive feedback from those identifying as having DSCATT. ACT targets psychological flexibility, which involves acting in line with personal values while pain, uncertainty or distress are present. Acceptance and commitment therapy is presented as a cognitive behavioural therapy using mindfulness and values-based strategies to increase psychological flexibility. ACT encourages acceptance of difficult circumstances and value-aligned action. The DSCATT-specific therapy combines ACT principles with selected cognitive behavioural therapy elements. There are no recognised treatments for DSCATT, motivating evaluation of psychological therapies used in related chronic or unexplained conditions.