Interpersonal Therapy for Depression: A Short-Span Psychotherapy

Introduction:

Depression, a significant cause of disability, affects nearly two hundred and eighty million people worldwide in a year. In addition, depression clears the way for other mental illnesses and relationship conflicts. Interpersonal therapy is the first-choice treatment for depression in looking more immense at the exact issue a person is suffering from.

What Is Interpersonal Therapy?

Interpersonal therapy is a brief span attachment-focussed form of psychotherapy or talk therapy that primarily fixates on alleviating interpersonal and relational issues. The theory aids in communication yet draws those interpersonal problems and allied symptoms. The principle that relationships, transactions, and environment affect one’s mood and vice versa is more reliable in interpersonal therapy. Once the theory was formulated, Gerald Klerman and Myrna Weissman developed the idea of treating major depression in 1970. From then, the approach was put forth primarily for depression and other certain mental disorders.

How Does Interpersonal Therapy Work?

Researchers find interpersonal therapy would exhibit effectiveness, at least as the short-term intervention of antidepressants. Interpersonal therapy holds about twelve to sixteen weekly sessions lasting one hour a week. At first, with an interview-like session, a healthcare provider will ask specific questions to determine the reason for the mood distortion and relationship issues. Hence, drawing on the answers, the therapist will plan a treatment scheme with a goal. Also, the therapist will look after social functioning, personality problems, and symptom formation. At the same time, they are the three vital themes of depression, as per the International Society of Interpersonal Therapy. Through this, interpersonal therapy corrects interpersonal issues yet relieves depression.

How Is Interpersonal Therapy Performed?

By exploring the relationships, the therapist would recommend specific techniques based on one of the following four categories:

• Interpersonal Conflicts: Here, the interpersonal issue in the relationship is looked at. The battles might be among couples, family, and peers. This relationship dispute occurs as a result of different expectations amid the bond. One expects something, and when not fulfilled, it leads to unnecessary distress and conflicts.

• Role Transition: Role transition develops by means of failed adaptations to new life role changes. For instance, a person’s role changes after getting wed, going divorced, turning a parent, or starting a career which broadly impacts them and may aid in cases of depression.

• Grief: As everyone knows, the loss or death of loved ones would put one into depression. The suffering can last for a longer span than expected, distorted or remaining calm, exhibiting no emotions. All these types of grief stand unresolved and result in a low mood.

• Interpersonal Deficits: It is all about the deficiencies an individual has in leading a successful relationship. It might include communication issues, inadequate expression of emotions, or others that bypass socializing informally.

So through categorizing and further focusing on the particular problem, the therapist addresses and sorts out issues a person faces which might have led to depression.

Is Interpersonal Therapy Effective?

Researchers in several studies proved the effectuality of interpersonal therapy amidst other talk therapies. However, the intervention has a significant role in relieving depression.

• In 2013, researchers analyzed and reviewed that interpersonal therapy is as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating major depression and recommend the therapy as a first-line intervention for any depression.

• Also, according to a study, interpersonal therapy is effective against eating disorders, personality disorders, and substance use disorders.

• Research has proven the effectiveness of the therapy over significant depression and its recurrence.

• The therapy is beneficial in lowering depression with better relationships.

What Is Group Interpersonal Therapy?

The therapist recommends group interpersonal therapy after undergoing one or two individual sessions. Interpersonal treatment is more favorable and advantageous when it comes to groups. The group comprising six to eight members are segregated based on the common goal of members. Firstly, the therapist demands the participants come up with their experiences and feelings. Eventually, group therapy highlights the observation and transaction among them. Sharing the events would end up in inevitable conflicts amid them. So then, the therapist would take the first move, settle them, and give them a turn to solve their issues themselves, either by role-playing or brainstorming. Therefore perceiving would offer them a solution, thus altering their mood.

What Is the Impact After Interpersonal Therapy?

Though major depression is a condition that occurs in recurrence, interpersonal therapy prevents such relapses and other depressive disorders, proving its efficiency. In addition, interpersonal treatment paves the way for rapidly diminishing symptoms with improving socialization. People after the treatment could find out how their relationships and relations affect their life. And the treatment lowered the burden of care. Utterly, most of the people under interpersonal therapy had a significant impact on gaining the solution for alleviating depression from session to session.

• Maintenance Interpersonal Therapy: Several people would come into possession of recurrent depression even after regular therapy. For that instance, the therapist highly recommends maintenance sessions once every month. This maintenance therapy protects and strengthens the outcome acquired through standard interpersonal therapy. In addition, it prevents the stress of relationships.

What Are Other Disorders Benefit by Interpersonal Therapy?

Interpersonal therapy not only helps with depression but also treats various psychological disorders and conditions when combined with other interventions. For example, there are several illnesses that interpersonal therapy can help with.

• Bipolar disorder.

• Major depressive disorder.

• Substance use disorder.

• Bulimia nervosa or eating disorder.

• Postpartum depression.

• Borderline personality disorder.

• Panic disorder.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder.

• Dysthymia- persistent depressive disorder.

• Depression as a result of diseases.

In addition, the therapy encourages yet strengthens the positive relationship, clearing the conflicts. Hence, the treatment is chosen to operate against marital disputes and prolonged grief disorder.

What Are the Highlights of Interpersonal Therapy?

Interpersonal therapy is a recommended intervention for depression as it possesses several unique features compared to other psychotherapies.

• Focuses on present relationships than the past.

• Interpersonal therapy is purely concerned with therapeutic goals.

• Time-limited and is as effective as antidepressant medications.

• The therapy is immensely structured, comprising interview sessions and assessments.

• Interpersonal therapy is evidence-based, and research supports its effectiveness.

Conclusion:

Interpersonal therapy is effective for depression when utilized alone or in conjunction with antidepressant medications, and this fact is proven through research and clinical trials. One can benefit from interpersonal therapy by addressing the reasons for mood ailments and relationship problems. So, it is the right therapy to receive during such concerns and is considered a short-term intervention for depression.