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Review
. 2007 Sep;53(9):1469-75.

An approach to interpersonal psychotherapy for postpartum depression: focusing on interpersonal changes

Sophie Grigoriadis  1 , Paula Ravitz
Affiliations
Review

An approach to interpersonal psychotherapy for postpartum depression: focusing on interpersonal changes

Sophie Grigoriadis et al. Can Fam Physician. 2007 Sep.

Abstract
in English, French

Objective: To review the principles of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD).

Sources of information: Empirical literature, IPT manuals including those adapted for PPD, and the authors' clinical experience.

Main message: Level I evidence supports IPT as a treatment for PPD. Interpersonal psychotherapy is ideally suited because it focuses on the important interpersonal changes and challenges women experience during the postpartum period. It is delivered in 12 sessions and emphasizes interpersonal disputes, role transitions, or bereavement. In this article, we describe the IPT model and therapeutic guidelines for treatment of PPD.

Conclusion: Postpartum depression is an important public health problem with pervasive effects on mothers, infants, and families. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a relevant and effective treatment for women suffering from PPD because it helps address the many interpersonal stressors that arise during the postpartum period. The principles of IPT can be integrated easily into primary care settings as IPT is pragmatic, specific, problem focused, short-term, and highly effective.

OBJECTIF: Passer en revue les principes de la psychothérapie interpersonnelle (PTI) comme traitement de la dépression du post-partum (DPP).

SOURCES DE L’INFORMATION: Littérature empirique, manuels de PTI incluant ceux adaptés pour la DPP et l’expérience clinique de l’auteur.

PRINCIPAL MESSAGE: L’utilisation de la PTI pour traiter la DPP est supportée par des preuves de niveau I. Cette approche convient parfaitement parce qu’elle est centrée sur les changements interpersonnels importants et sur les défis auxquels les femmes font face durant le post-partum. Elle se donne en 12 séances et porte surtout sur les conflits interpersonnels, les changements de rôle ou les deuils. Cet article décrit le modèle de la PTI et les directives pour le traitement de la DPP.

CONCLUSION: La DPP est un important problème de santé publique qui a des conséquences néfastes pour la mère, le nourrisson et la famille. La PTI est un traitement pertinent et efficace pour celles qui souffrent de DPP parce qu’elle les aide à faire face aux nombreux agents stressants interpersonnels qui surviennent durant le post-partum. Les principes de la PTI peuvent facilement être intégrés dans un contexte de soins primaires puisque cette thérapie est pragmatique, spécifique, axée sur des problèmes, de courte durée et hautement efficace.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Formulation worksheet for postpartum depression
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