Die Interpersonelle Psychotherapie in der ambulanten und stationären Depressionsbehandlung

Abstract

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for depression by Klerman and Weissman is increasingly used as both an outpatient and inpatient treatment. IPT is an empirically validated short-term therapy with a focus on the association of depression and current interpersonal stressors such as conflicts with or loss of close persons, the loss of a familiar role or isolation. The theoretical background is based on the interpersonal school of Sullivan and the attachment theory of Bowlby. The foundation, however, is derived from empirical findings. It assumes that the psychosocial context contributes to the occurrence, the maintenance and the course of depression. Although originally developed for outpatients, the method can be easily modified for an inpatient setting by the addition of behavioural elements. This article describes the original version of IPT followed by the modifications for inpatient treatment.

Keywords:

Interpersonal psychotherapy, depression, psychotherapy for inpatients