Integrative approach to treatment of a patient with psychotic depression

Integrative approach to treatment of psychiatric patients incorporates a variety of therapeutic procedures that overlap and are not mutually exclusive. Their objective is unique: to heal and to restore patients' proper functioning in their family, work and social environments alike. Treatment often requires integration of various therapeutic approaches. In this paper we report the efficacy of an integrative model in the case of a female patient who developed a clinical picture of psychotic depression after giving birth. Taking an individual approach alongside the continuous use of psycho pharmacotherapy enabled us to look for an appropriate model of hospital and ambulatory treatment, namely psychotherapeutic setting. This example proved individual psychotherapy to be a complementary method to psycho pharmacotherapy. This was due to a strong feeling of shame that prevented the patient from opening up and dealing with her inner conflict in the previous group treatment. Integrative and personalised treatment has resulted in a relatively quick recovery and return to her everyday duties.