What Is Interpersonal Therapy?
In the early 1970s, Gerald Klerman and Myrna Weissman developed interpersonal therapy with the objective of treating depression. Interpersonal therapy was built on the work of Harry Sullivan, John Bowlby, and Adolf Meyer. Interpersonal therapy is a brief, short-term therapy often consisting of 12 to 16 sessions focusing on resolving and improving interpersonal issues or problems along with social interactions and symptomatic reliefs. Therapists focussing and following interpersonal therapy are taught to be non-neutral, non-judgmental, and supportive of their patients. The therapy conducted is face-to-face and in a one-to-one format. Initially, interpersonal therapy was developed to treat depression; however, with positive outcomes of the therapy, it is now used to treat other mental illnesses too.
What Are the Types of Interpersonal Therapy?
Interpersonal therapy is divided into two main subtypes, they are:
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Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy: Dynamic interpersonal therapy is also referred to as psychodynamic, interpersonal therapy, or mentalization-based therapy. This form of therapy is structured in a manner to help the individual understand their thought process and feelings along with the thought process and feelings of others. It is usually the longer subtype of therapy consisting of 16 sessions.
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Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy: Metacognitive interpersonal therapy, or MIT, is an approach to understanding and treating personality disorders along with prominent emotional disorders (emotional inhibition or avoidance). This form of therapy is employed for 12 weeks to reduce the symptoms of depression and improve the ability and capacity of an individual to process and identify one’s emotions.
How Does Interpersonal Therapy Work?
The central idea on which interpersonal therapy is based is the fact that psychological symptoms are based on the conditions faced by an individual in everyday life. Interpersonal therapy focuses on the respective areas:
Conflict or disruptions in the relationship that causes stress. A drastic change in life such as loss of job, death of a relative, near-death experience, grief, and emotional disbalance. Difficulty managing and continuing a long relationship. Interpersonal therapy sessions are operated with respect to three sessions:
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Opening Sessions (often occupies first to third weeks) - The first session consists of collecting data and making a formal diagnosis and a treatment plan. The therapist then helps the patient come to terms with their illness. Make sure they understand the disorder and the symptomatic behavior change they experience. They also make a list of all the important relationships in the individual’s life, which is also known as interpersonal inventory.
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Middle Sessions (occupies fourth to 14th weeks) - After establishing the interpersonal inventory, the therapist then asks the individual to focus on the weaker parts of their relationships. The patients and therapist work for the betterment of the relationship.
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Final Sessions (occupies 15th to 16th week) - The ending session deals with any form of prematurity left in the relationship. This therapy session is used to reflect on or review the shortcomings of the relationships once faced by the patient and if they have made any progress or so.
What Are the Uses of Interpersonal Therapy?
Interpersonal therapy is designed to focus on and help people suffering from mental health disorders. Initially, it was only used as a therapy for depression; however, currently, interpersonal therapy is employed to manage and treat other mental illnesses too. Other mental disorders treated under the supervision of interpersonal therapy are:
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Anxiety disorders.
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Eating disorder (bulimia nervosa)
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Dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder).
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Substance abuse disorder.
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Clinical depression.
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
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Perinatal depression.
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Social anxiety disorder.
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Major depressive disorder (MDD).
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Depression or depressive episodes due to chronic diseases (such as cancer or HIV).
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Panic attacks or disorder.
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Attachment issues.
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Chronic fatigue.
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Mood disorders.
What Are the Benefits of Interpersonal Therapy?
Interpersonal therapy, time and again, has proven to be an effective and versatile therapy option. Therapy sessions for depression have proven to be effective in adjunction with antidepressants. Interpersonal therapy has a wide variety of benefits for both mental and physical health.
Some of the benefits are:
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Improved relationships.
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Reduced depression level.
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Better communication skills.
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Symptomatic relief.
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Ease anxiety and panic attacks.
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Reduced risk of self-harm.
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Increased ability to express one’s emotions.
Interpersonal therapy acknowledges that depression is not just an individual’s issue; it can also be caused due to relationship issues.
What Are the Limitations of Interpersonal Therapy?
Interpersonal therapy works in a great way to modify an individual’s life; however, focusing on just the positive aspect is not enough. One must look both ways before crossing the street similarly; looking at both the benefits and limitations is essential. Some of the limitations of interpersonal therapy include:
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Interpersonal therapy is based on the conception that the patient is willing to share shortcomings and personal information.
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Committing to therapy and willing to change are two different behavior skills. An individual willing to undergo therapy is committing to the therapy, but it takes effort to change oneself.
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An individual must be self-aware, knowing where they went wrong and the change in their behavior due to their mental illness. Changes caused due to mental illness and getting a grasp on their situation is a very crucial part of the therapy.
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Since it is a short-term therapy, it might or might not have a long-lasting effect.
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Being a short-term therapy also means that the interaction time is limited, and the individual might not open up to the therapist in order to resolve their issues and conditions.
Conclusion
Interpersonal therapy or psychotherapy focuses on resolving any interpersonal issues and providing symptomatic relief and recovery. Interpersonal therapy is also referred to as empirically supported treatment (or EST) and is a defined structured therapy that deals with treating an individual suffering from mental illnesses. Therapy consists of 12 to 16 weeks long sessions. Opting for interpersonal therapy might be a good choice, but not for everyone.
Considering the limitations before opting for therapy is crucial. Motivation and admission to help are the key features one should have before admitting to therapy. It is important to note that mental illnesses such as depression and eating disorders are often recurrent conditions. Even after complete treatment and therapy, an individual requires post-therapy sessions or maintenance sessions to help prevent relapses or recurrences and to maintain the progress state of an individual.