The goal of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), a type of psychotherapy, is to enhance interpersonal functioning to reduce symptoms of depression. It is possible to interpret psychological symptoms as a reaction to existing issues in interpersonal relationships. By assessing current connections, therapy can help change maladaptive thoughts and actions.
What is interpersonal psychotherapy?
Interpersonal therapy is based on the concept that interpersonal conflicts and poor communication frequently result in psychological difficulties. IPT is a concentrated, brief treatment for depression. For mild to moderate types of clinical depression, IPT is as beneficial as short-term antidepressant medication and is effective in treating both adolescent and adult depression.
What are the conditions that can be treated with interpersonal therapy?
Interpersonal therapy for major depressive disorder is an effective treatment and maintenance therapy to avoid relapse. However, IPT has also been demonstrated to be effective in treating various conditions, such as:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa
- Chronic fatigue
- Mood disorders such as bipolar and dysthymia
- Personality disorders
- Addiction
- Marital conflict
- Unresolved grief
What is interpersonal psychotherapy for depression?
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a brief and effective treatment emphasizing improving interpersonal communication. Depression influences relationships and the roles that people play in them because it happens in an interpersonal and intimate environment. Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression emphasizes how a person’s relationships, especially those with family and friends, are related to symptoms.
The treatment’s primary short-term objectives are rapid symptom reduction and enhanced social adjustment. For the long-term, IPT aims to empower individuals who suffer from depression to make changes in their lives through conscious decision-making. When they can accomplish that, depressive symptoms are easier to manage and lessen. Additionally, therapy can help resolve conflicts with friends and family members as well as helping to eliminate unfavorable thought patterns.
How does interpersonal therapy for major depressive disorder work?
Generally, IPT involves weekly one-hour sessions over a 16-week period, which can be extended depending on the severity of the depression. The first few appointments are used to evaluate the client’s level of depression, familiarize them with the IPT focus and procedure, and pinpoint any particular interpersonal issues the client is experiencing.
The therapist and patient collaborate to identify the present problems in the individual’s life and relationships that are causing depression. Therapy techniques help the client recognize and examine the communication patterns in their interactions with others and learn to modify their approaches positively.
Interpersonal therapy techniques for treating depression
It is possible to avoid conflict and misunderstandings by being more aware of feelings, thoughts, and actions in the moment. A therapist can apply several different IPT techniques to get the best outcome.
- Dramatic techniques: Role-playing a challenging event can increase self-reflection and aid clients in understanding the thoughts of others, resulting in deeper insights.
- Assisted visualization: The client relives a distressing or traumatic event while picturing how they might act in a similar circumstance in the future. Such imagery exposure can desensitize and reduce anxiety.
- Exercise: Activities that involve breathing control and physical training help improve emotional and behavioral control and access positive self-images while also improving physical and mental well-being.
- Regulation of attention and mindfulness: The client learns they are not the victim of their own thoughts and that they can control how they experience their flow of consciousness.
- Coping with the past – Although IPT places a greater emphasis on the present, it also takes a look at the client’s history. The client can learn how to be conscious of their preconceptions and can instead view the current circumstance with more impartiality.
What are the advantages of interpersonal therapy for depression?
- Improved relationships: The client will learn how to maintain long-lasting, happy relationships as opposed to meaningless ones that end in divorce. In IPT, people spend time considering their past and current relationships with friends, family, and coworkers and consider how they contribute to feelings of depression. Individuals can improve their relationships and quality of life by using this strategy to identify problems, deal with them, and make necessary changes.
- Coping skills: People learn how to deal with unhappiness or unwanted feelings in a better way. They can develop ways to control anger and other distressing emotions, so they don’t interfere with relationships and daily life interactions.
- Problem-solving techniques: During an IPT session, individuals discover effective, secure methods for resolving their challenges. They can pick up skills like managing stress, and they won’t have to struggle with their inability to cope.
- Conflict resolution: Disagreements arise in all partnerships, and people’s mental health is significantly impacted by how they handle disputes. IPT assists in recognizing and resolving interpersonal issues, which can lessen feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness. Conflict management skills help to manage working with difficult individuals.
- Enhances self-esteem: A person’s sense of self is directly related to interpersonal connections. Relationships will likely improve with an increase in self-confidence and self-esteem. This equips people to deal with problems in their current relationships without resorting to isolation, sadness, or anger.
- Promoting the manifestation of emotion: The therapist encourages the client to speak honestly and without inhibition about their feelings while the therapist assures the person that their feelings are legitimate and worthy of expression.
Is interpersonal psychotherapy for depression effective?
A person’s interpersonal environment changing is frequently followed by depression. As symptoms develop and get worse, they impact interpersonal relationships, which may cause ongoing stressful situations. Therapy aims to address stressful life circumstances as well as increase social support. The main goal of IPT is to improve tense interpersonal interactions or situations that are closely connected to the current depressive episode. Interactions with people, communication abilities, and social duties are the main topics of therapy.
People who want to improve in specific areas of their lives as well as those who are receiving treatment for depression and other related problems, will benefit from interpersonal therapy. IPT helps people learn to deal with emotions and life changes, improve communication skills, and resolve conflicts and challenges. Individuals will gain from confronting interpersonal problems and making a commitment to treatment.
