Session 8 - Inter Personal Therapy (IPT)

Question 1

IPT facilitates recovery of acute depression. Briefly describe how this is done.

Answer 1

By relieving the depressive symptoms
By helping the patient develop more effective strategies for dealing with current interpersonal problems associated with the onset of symptoms.
Encouraging mastery of current social situations and adaptation to interpersonal situations

Question 2

Clinical depression is considered to have what 3 processes:

Answer 2

Symptom function
Social and interpersonal relations
Personality and character problems

Question 3

Interpersonal (psycho)therapy is divided into an early, middle and termination phase. What occurs in the early phase?

Answer 3

Early phase - devoted to assessment and negotiation of therapeutic contract. Make a time line of all events & make an interpersonal inventory (network) of people you are closest to and then work outwards.

Question 4

Interpersonal (psycho)therapy is divided into an early, middle and termination phase. What occurs in the middle phase?

Answer 4

Middle phase - longest duration. Entails psychotherapeutic work. There is informal discussion, starts following the agreement of focus, decide upon blend of disputes and transitions.
You make an ACTION PLAN: monitor and track symptoms, encourage re-engagement with network, help with emotional regulation.
Make GOALS: identify dispute, choose plan of action, modify expectations or faulty communication to bring about satisfactory resolution.

Question 5

Interpersonal (psycho)therapy is divided into an early, middle and termination phase. What occurs in the termination phase?

Answer 5

Therapist shares something about their experience working with the patient. Therapist explores something positive and negative about the patient, knowing the treatment is ending. Bring things to a resolution.

Question 6

Describe the ‘Focus Area’ with regards to IPT:

Answer 6

Grief - prolonged, complicated bereavement
Interpersonal disputes - non reciprocal role expectations with significant other e.g. with spouse, children, boss
Role transition - life changes leading to interpersonal role change e.g. new job, divorce, relocation
Interpersonal deficits - loneliness and social isolation

Question 7

Describe how IPT can be used to describe relationships and their discussions:

Answer 7

Impasse: implies that discussion between the patient and significant other has stopped and that low level of resentment typical of ‘cold marriages’ exist
Renegotiation: implies that the patient and the significant other are openly aware of differences and are actively trying even if unsuccessfully, to bring about changes
Dissolution: implies that the relationship is disrupted

Question 8

How does the therapist act in IPT?

Answer 8

Focuses on patient, encourages and praises patient, active role, not passive

Question 9

What are specific techniques of IPT?

Answer 9

Non-directive exploration, encouragement of emotion, communication analysis.