Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a short term, manual based, form of psychotherapy originally developed for the treatment of acute major non psychotic depressive episodes (Klerman et al. 1984). Depression in this approach is conceptualized as a medical condition with a multi-factorial causality where the interpersonal relationships play however a significant part. In this context, problematic life events such as unresolved grief, lasting role disputes, unachieved role transitions and prolonged social isolation, are considered to contribute to, and to be maintained by, the depressive illness. A number of strategies and techniques are offered to deal with each of these specific problem areas in order to restore the role functioning and normalize the mood. As the most evaluated form of psychotherapy the proven efficacy, good acceptance, and relative simplicity of IPT have widened its application to some other forms psychopathology and in various settings and age groups. Its applicability and efficacy in old age depressive disorders has been documented in a small number of controlled studies ( Weissman et al. 2000). Interestingly, it appears from these studies that grief, which would have been the problem area expected to prevail in older age depression, was not as common as role transition. The lecture will address, when role transition in a late life depressive episode is the focus, the specific challenges that the generally younger therapist needs to face in conducting IPT with an older patient. Particularly the therapist should avoid some stereotypes and prejudices that could influence the outcome of psychotherapy. Tools are discussed to discriminate between negative preconceptions and real disadvantages of late life while dealing with the remaining options in order to help the aged in achieving a curative move towards a new role.
References
Klerman, G.L, Weissman M.M, Rounsaville, B.J., and Chevron E., Interpersonal Psychotherapy of Depression. New York : Basic Books. 1984.
Weissman MM, Markowitz JC, Klerman GL: IPT For Late Life Depression, In : Comprehensive Guide to Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Chapter 14, pp. 213-221. New York: Basic Books, 2000.
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