Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents

Depression is always a serious disorder. It is especially troubling when it affects adolescents: It can impair a teenager's ability to function at school, with family members, and with friends during the life stage when establishing and maintaining relationships are of paramount importance. Adolescent depression can result in lifelong emotional, social, and interpersonal difficulties or even suicidal behavior. While the management of depression is often a major component in the practice of mental health treatments with adolescents, until now no treatment method has focused primarily on interpersonal relationships.

Breaking new ground in the literature on the subject, this volume is the first to present a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed adolescents (IPT-A). Proven effective in managing adult depression, IPT was recently modified into a time-limited (12-week-long) program designed for younger outpatients experiencing nonpsychotic, nonbipolar depression. To improve the patient's overall social networks, the IPT-A program involves the affected teenager as well as his or her parents. The treatment focuses on the problem areas of grief, interpersonal role disputes, role transitions, interpersonal deficits, and on single-parent families.

The volume reviews the epidemiology, assessment, and diagnosis of depression in children and adolescents, and then guides the reader through each phase of treatment. Strategies, goals, and implementation methods are covered for each individual session; clinical vignettes and therapist scripts throughout offer clear illustrations of the techniques discussed. Final chapters cover the special issues clinicians are confronted with when working with adolescent patients, including refusal to go to school, sexual activity, aggressive behavior, sexual abuse, and life in a non-nuclear family. Also discussed are day-to-day clinical issues such as how to handle missed appointments and parental interference.

With depression rates soaring among younger members of the population, this text could not be more timely. The practical, effective treatment program detailed in this volume will be invaluable to all mental health professionals who work with adolescents. It is also an important addition to courses on adolescent psychiatry, psychology, and social work.