[Interpersonal therapy of depression--an integrative approach for clinical practice]

Interpersonal therapy of depression (IPT) has proven to be very effective in a comparative study of therapeutic modalities for the treatment of depression. It reflects contemporary research on the etiology and the nosology of depressive disorders and offers a multifactorial treatment concept. Specifically, IPT integrates aspects of biological vulnerability for depression with the psychosocial context of a person. Disturbed social relations are seen as possible causes as well as consequences of depressive disorders. IPT has the goal to reduce depressive symptomatology and to improve interpersonal functioning. It emphasizes the structured diagnosis of depression in order to help the patient to better understand his condition. Symptoms are then related to his or her interpersonal context. Therapy sessions deal with four problem areas: Grief over loss, interpersonal disputes, role transitions, and interpersonal deficits. When necessary, prescribing medication is an integral part of the therapeutic procedure. The article gives an overview of the literature and the therapeutic strategies of IPT which seems especially effective for the treatment of mild to moderate depressions in primary care.