Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for a patient with moderate depressive episodes with somatic syndrome: a single case study

Abstract

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), is a short term, evidence-based treatment, has shown efficacy in treating individuals with affect dysregulation and other psychiatric condition. Interpersonal psychotherapy target helping patients to improve their interpersonal relationships or change their expectations about them. It also aims to assist patients to improve their social support network so that they can better manage their current interpersonal distress. This case study, therapeutic program consisting of 15-20 sessions based on the clinical interview and psychological evaluation. It mainly focused on interpersonal relationships as a means of bringing about interpersonal change and symptomatic recovery, with the goal of helping the individual to resolve the acute interpersonal crisis and to improve her social support system. This intervention included detailed assessment in the initial phase, interpersonal inventory, the interpersonal formulation, treatment agreement, IPT techniques (clarification, communication analysis, problem solving, use of affect, role playing, homework and other directives), conclusion of acute treatment and maintenance of treatment. The future directions of IPT involve assisting patients to improve their social support network with a view to ensure better management of their current interpersonal distress.