Who Is This For?

This is an educational game for anyone who wants to learn about Distress Tolerance and Emotion Regulation. It is based on a core skill from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

This is for you if you:

• Feel like your emotions sometimes make you act in ways you regret.
• Want to practice breaking the link between a strong feeling and an unhelpful urge.
• Are curious about DBT and how to change painful emotions.

The Science: DBT “Opposite Action”

Opposite Action is a powerful DBT skill. The theory is that every emotion has a natural “action urge” attached to it:

• Anxiety urges you to Avoid.
• Anger urges you to Attack.
• Sadness urges you to Withdraw.

Sometimes these urges are helpful. But if the emotion is *unjustified* by the facts, or if acting on the urge isn’t *effective*, the best way to change the emotion is to **act opposite to the urge.**

By choosing to “Go to the party” (Opposite Action) when you feel anxious (“Avoid”), you are teaching your brain that the situation is not dangerous, and the anxiety will decrease on its own.

References

Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT Skills Training Manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Data & Privacy

This game uses your browser’s localStorage to save your high score (total bosses defeated). This data is stored only on your device.

Clear My High Score

Warning & Disclaimer

This is not therapy. This is an educational tool, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), anxiety, or any other condition.

No Guarantee: Joyful Psych Labs makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the effectiveness of this tool.

Liability: Your use of this tool is solely at your own risk. Joyful Psych Labs (and its creators) shall have no liability or responsibility for any adverse consequences alleged to have happened as a consequence of using this game.