Interpersonal psychotherapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a brief, attachment-focused psychotherapy that centers on resolving interpersonal problems and symptomatic recovery. It is an empirically supported treatment (EST) that follows a highly structured and time-limited approach and is intended to be completed within 12–16 weeks. IPT is based on the principle that relationships and life events impact mood and that the reverse is also true.[1][2] It was developed by Gerald Klerman and Myrna Weissman for major depression in the 1970s and has since been adapted for other mental disorders.[3] IPT is an empirically validated intervention for depressive disorders, and is more effective when used in combination with psychiatric medications [citation needed]. Along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), IPT is recommended in treatment guidelines as a psychosocial treatment of choice for depression.[4][5]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Foundations
* 3 Clinical applications
* 3.1 Adolescents
* 3.2 Elderly
* 4 References
* 5 Sources

## History

Originally named "high contact" therapy, IPT was first developed in 1969 at Yale University as part of a study designed by Gerald Klerman, Myrna Weissman and colleagues to test the efficacy of an antidepressant with and without psychotherapy as maintenance treatment of depression.[6][7] IPT has been studied in many research protocols since its development.[8][9] NIMH-TDCRP demonstrated the efficacy of IPT as a maintenance treatment and delineated some contributing factors.[10]

## Foundations

IPT was influenced by CBT as well as psychodynamic approaches. It takes its structure from CBT in that it is time-limited, employs structured interviews and assessment tools.[11] In general, however, IPT focuses directly on affects, or feelings, whereas CBT focuses on cognitions with strong associated affects. Unlike CBT, IPT makes no attempt to uncover distorted thoughts systematically by giving homework or other assignments, nor does it help the patient develop alternative thought patterns through prescribed practice. Rather, as evidence arises during the course of therapy, the therapist calls attention to distorted thinking in relation to significant others. The goal is to change the relationship pattern rather than associated depressive cognitions, which are acknowledged as depressive symptoms.[12]

The content of IPT's therapy was inspired by Attachment theory and Harry Stack Sullivan's Interpersonal psychoanalysis. Social theory is also influenced in a lesser role to emphasis on qualitative impact of social support networks for recovery.[13] Unlike psychodynamic approaches, IPT does not include a personality theory or attempt to conceptualize or treat personality but focuses on humanistic applications of interpersonal sensitivity.[14][15]

* Attachment Theory, forms the basis for understanding patients’ relationship difficulties, attachment schema[16] and optimal functioning when attachment needs are met.
* Interpersonal Theory, describes the ways in which patients’ maladaptive metacommunication patterns (Low to high Affiliation & Inclusion and dominant to submissive Status)[17][18] lead to or evoke difficulty in their here-and-now interpersonal relationships.

The aim of IPT is to help the patient to improve interpersonal and intrapersonal communication skills within relationships and to develop social support network with realistic expectations to deal with the crises precipitated in distress and to weather 'interpersonal storms'.

## Clinical applications

It has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for depression and has been modified to treat other psychiatric disorders such as substance use disorders and eating disorders. It is incumbent upon the therapist in the treatment to quickly establish a therapeutic alliance with positive countertransference of warmth, empathy, affective attunement and positive regard for encouraging a positive transferential relationship, from which the patient is able to seek help from the therapist despite resistance. It is primarily used as a short-term therapy completed in 12–16 weeks, but it has also been used as a maintenance therapy for patients with recurrent depression.[19] A shorter, 6-week therapy suited to primary care settings called Interpersonal counselling (IPC) has been derived from IPT.[20]

Interpersonal psychotherapy has been found to be an effective treatment for the following:[21]

* Bipolar disorder
* Bulimia nervosa
* Major depressive disorder[22][23]
* Post-partum depression

### Adolescents

Although originally developed as an individual therapy for adults, IPT has been modified for use with adolescents and older adults.[21]

IPT for children is based on the premise that depression occurs in the context of an individual's relationships regardless of its origins in biology or genetics. More specifically, depression affects people's relationships and these relationships further affect our mood. The IPT model identifies four general areas in which a person may be having relationship difficulties:

1. grief after the loss of a loved one;
2. conflict in significant relationships, including a client's relationship with his or her own self;[24]
3. difficulties adapting to changes in relationships or life circumstances; and
4. difficulties stemming from social isolation.[21]

The IPT therapist helps identify areas in need of skill-building to improve the client's relationships and decrease the depressive symptoms. Over time, the client learns to link changes in mood to events occurring in his/her relationships, communicate feelings and expectations for the relationships, and problem-solve solutions to difficulties in the relationships.[25]

IPT has been adapted for the treatment of depressed adolescents (IPT-A) to address developmental issues most common to teenagers such as separation from parents, development of romantic relationships, and initial experience with death of a relative or friend.[25] IPT-A helps the adolescent identify and develop more adaptive methods for dealing with the interpersonal issues associated with the onset or maintenance of their depression. IPT-A is typically a 12- to 16-week treatment. Although the treatment involves primarily individual sessions with the teenager, parents are asked to participate in a few sessions to receive education about depression, to address any relationship difficulties that may be occurring between the adolescent and his/her parents, and to help support the adolescent's treatment.[26]

### Elderly

IPT has been used as a psychotherapy for depressed elderly, with its emphasis on addressing interpersonally relevant problems. IPT appears especially well suited to the life changes that many people experience in their later years.[27]

## References

1. ↑ Markowitz, JC; Svartberg, M; Swartz, HA (1998). "Is IPT time-limited psychodynamic psychotherapy?". The Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research 7 (3): 185–95. PMID 9631340.
2. ↑ "Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)". Nightingale Hospital. http://www.nightingalehospital.co.uk/treatment/interpersonal-therapy-ipt/.
3. ↑ Cuijpers, Pim; Donker, Tara; Weissman, Myrna M.; Ravitz, Paula; Cristea, Ioana A. (2016). "Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Mental Health Problems: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis". American Journal of Psychiatry 173 (7): 680–7. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15091141. PMID 27032627.
4. ↑ Cuijpers, Pim; Geraedts, Anna S.; van Oppen, Patricia; Andersson, Gerhard; Markowitz, John C.; van Straten, Annemieke (2011). "Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression: A Meta-Analysis". American Journal of Psychiatry 168 (6): 581–92. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2010.10101411. PMID 21362740.
5. ↑ Tsai, Alexander C.; Barth, Jürgen; Munder, Thomas; Gerger, Heike; Nüesch, Eveline; Trelle, Sven; Znoj, Hansjörg; Jüni, Peter et al. (2013). "Comparative Efficacy of Seven Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Patients with Depression: A Network Meta-Analysis". PLOS Medicine 10 (5): e1001454. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001454. PMID 23723742.
6. ↑ Weissman, Myrna M. (August 2006). "A Brief History of Interpersonal Psychotherapy". Psychiatric Annals 36 (8). doi:10.3928/00485713-20060801-03. http://www.healio.com/journals/psycann/2006-8-36-8/{4f27509b-d22b-4451-9e14-4ded3843ddf0}/a-brief-history-of-interpersonal-psychotherapy.
7. ↑ Markowitz, John C.; Weissman, Myrna M. (2012). "Interpersonal Psychotherapy: Past, Present and Future". Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy 19 (2): 99–105. doi:10.1002/cpp.1774. PMID 22331561.
8. ↑ Klerman, Gerald L.; Dimascio, Alberto; Weissman, Myrna; Prusoff, Brigitte; Paykel, Eugene S. (1974). "Treatment of Depression by Drugs and Psychotherapy". American Journal of Psychiatry 131 (2): 186–91. doi:10.1176/ajp.131.2.186. PMID 4587807.
9. ↑ Weissman, MM; Prusoff, BA; Dimascio, A; Neu, C; Goklaney, M; Klerman, GL (1979). "The efficacy of drugs and psychotherapy in the treatment of acute depressive episodes". The American Journal of Psychiatry 136 (4B): 555–8. doi:10.1176/ajp.1979.136.4b.555. PMID 371421.
10. ↑ Elkin, Irene (1989). "National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program". Archives of General Psychiatry 46 (11): 971–83. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1989.01810110013002. PMID 2684085.
11. ↑ Weissman, MM; Markowitz, JC; Klerman, GL (2007). Clinician's quick guide to interpersonal psychotherapy. New York: Oxford University Press. [page needed]
12. ↑ Weissman, M. M., Markowitz, J. C., & Klerman, G. L. (2000). Comprehensive guide to interpersonal psychotherapy. Basic Books.
13. ↑ https://books.google.ca/books?id=emXzjtZmULEC[full citation needed][page needed]
14. ↑ Hall, Judith A.; Andrzejewski, Susan A. (2009). "Interpersonal Sensitivity". Encyclopedia of Human Relationships. doi:10.4135/9781412958479.n291. ISBN 9781412958462.
15. ↑ Prochaska (1984). Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis. [page needed]
16. ↑ Bartholomew, Kim; Horowitz, Leonard M. (1991). "Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 61 (2): 226–44. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.61.2.226. PMID 1920064.
17. ↑ Kiesler, Donald J.; Watkins, Lucy M. (1989). "Interpersonal complementarity and the therapeutic alliance: A study of relationship in psychotherapy.". Psychotherapy 26 (2): 183–94. doi:10.1037/h0085418.
18. ↑ Kiesler, DJ (1979). "An interpersonal communication analysis of relationship in psychotherapy". Psychiatry 42 (4): 299–311. doi:10.1080/00332747.1979.11024034. PMID 504511.
19. ↑ Cornes, CL; Frank, E (1994). "Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression". The Clinical Psychologist 47 (3): 9–10.
20. ↑ Judd, F.; Weissman, M.; Davis, J.; Hodgins, G.; Piterman, L. (2004). "Interpersonal counselling in general practice". Australian Family Physician 33 (5): 332–337. PMID 15227863.
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Weissman, Myrna M.; Markowitz, John C. (1998). "An Overview of Interpersonal Psychotherapy". in Markowitz, John C.. Interpersonal Psychotherapy. American Psychiatric Press. pp. 1–33. ISBN 978-0-88048-836-5. https://books.google.com/books?id=S-0xx204n7cC&pg=PA1.
22. ↑ Joiner (2006). The interpersonal, cognitive, and social nature of depression. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. [page needed]
23. ↑ Zhou, Xinyu; Hetrick, Sarah E.; Cuijpers, Pim; Qin, Bin; Barth, Jürgen; Whittington, Craig J.; Cohen, David; Del Giovane, Cinzia et al. (2015). "Comparative efficacy and acceptability of psychotherapies for depression in children and adolescents: A systematic review and network meta-analysis". World Psychiatry 14 (2): 207–22. doi:10.1002/wps.20217. PMID 26043339.
24. ↑ "The Trauma Response". StillPoint Counseling. http://www.stillpointcounsel.com/#!interpersonal-psychotherapy/hs6i6. [unreliable medical source?]
25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Swartz, Holly A. (1999). "Interpersonal Psychotherapy". in Hersen, Michel; Bellack, Alan S.. Handbook of Comparative Interventions for Adult Disorders. Wiley. pp. 139–55. ISBN 978-0-471-16342-8. https://archive.org/details/handbookofcompar00002unse_v8k1/page/139.
26. ↑ Mufson, L. (1999). "Efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents". Archives of General Psychiatry 56 (6): 573–9. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.56.6.573. PMID 10359475.
27. ↑ Hinrichsen, Gregory A. (1999). "Treating older adults with interpersonal psychotherapy for depression". Journal of Clinical Psychology 55 (8): 949–60. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(199908)55:8<949::AID-JCLP4>3.0.CO;2-S.

## Sources

* Sullivan, Harry Stack (1968). Interpersonal Theory of Psychiatry. W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0-393-00138-9. https://archive.org/details/interpersonalthe00sull.

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