What is it?

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is described as a useful approach for patients in the 'midst of recent conflicts with significant others and for those having difficulty adjusting to an altered career or social role or other life transition' (Karasu, et al., 1993, p.6). IPT was originally developed as a time-limited (12-16 sessions) approach, to be used weekly with patient's diagnosed with unipolar, nonpsychotic depression (Klerman, Weissman, Rounsaville, & Chevron, 1984). IPT is based on the theory that interpersonal relationships play a significant role in both causing and maintaining depression. IPT aims to identify and resolve current interpersonal difficulties that are thought to be related to the patient's depression. These difficulties may include: conflict with others, role disputes or role transitions, social isolation, and prolonged grief following loss. IPT builds skills - mainly in the communication and interpersonal domains. This therapy should not be used with inpatients or patients who are psychotic, suicidal or have substance use problems (Gillies, 2001).

Does it work?
There are two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of IPT for the acute treatment of major depressive disorder (Weissman et al., 1979; Elkin et al., 1989). The outcomes of these studies were favorable and indicate that this approach is effective, particularly for moderate symptoms. IPT has also been trialled in the treatment of other disorders such as bulimia, drug abuse, bipolar disorder, dysthymia and patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Again, while the results from treatment trials are promising, IPT is still not fully tested and research continues into this treatment's effectiveness.

How do you do it?

Special training and continuing supervision is required.

References and recommended reading:

1. Elkin, I., Shea, M. T., Watkins, J. T., Imber, S. D., Sotsky, S. M., Collins, J. F, Glass, D. R., Pilkonis, P. A., Leber, W. R., Docherty, J. P., Fiester, S. J., & Parloff, M. B. (1989). National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program: General effectiveness of treatments. Archives of General Psychiatry, 46, 971-982.
   
2. Gillies, L. A. (2001). Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression and other disorders. In Barlow, D. H. (Ed.), Clinical handbook of psychological disorders: A step-by-step treatment manual (3rd ed.). (pp. 309-331). New York: Guilford Press.
3. Karasu, T.B., Docherty, J. P., Gelenberg, A., Kupfer, D.J., Merriam, A.E., Shadoan, R. (1993). Practice guideline for major depressive disorder in adults. American Journal of Psychiatry, 150 (suppl.), 1-26.
   
4. Klerman, G.L. & Weissman, M.M. (1993). Applications of Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.
   
5. Klerman, G.L., Weissman, M.M., Rounsaville, B. J., & Chevron, E.S. (1984). Interpersonal Psychotherapy of Depression. New York, NY: Basic Books Inc Publishers.
   
6. Weissman, M. M. & Markowitz, J. C. (1994), Interpersonal psychotherapy: Current status. Archives of General Psychiatry, 51(8), 599-606.
   
7. Weissman, M. M., Prusoff, B. A., DiMascio, A., Neu, C., Goklaney, M., & Klerman, G. L. (1979). The efficacy of drugs and psychotherapy in the treatment of acute depressive episodes. American Journal of Psychiatry, 136(4B), 555-558.