This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chan, R. T.-W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Chan, R. T.-W. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Interpersonal Psychotherapy as a Treatment Model for Depressed Adolescents with Chronic Medical Problems

Northern Sydney Area Health Service, Australia, rchan{at}med.usyd.edu.au

Many adolescents with chronic medical disorders experience psychological distress and mental health problems, including depression. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a time-limited individual psychotherapy which was originally developed for the treatment of depression in adults. It explores the patient’s interpersonal problem areas such as grief, interpersonal disputes, role transitions and interpersonal deficits, which then become the focus of the therapy. Controlled clinical studies have shown the efficacy and effectiveness of this therapeutic model for the management of adolescent depression. This article explores the applicability of IPT to adolescents with depression and chronic medical problems using theoretical concepts and research evidence from the adolescent development and health psychology literature. The specific interpersonal problem areas of IPT are relevant to the difficulties faced by these adolescents, although some modification of standard adult IPT may be necessary.

Key Words: adolescent • chronic disease • consultation-liaison • depression • interpersonal psychotherapy

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?