Interpersonal psychotherapy of depressed HIV-positive outpatients.
In an open pilot study, 23 depressed adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus were treated using interpersonal therapy. Twenty subjects recovered from depression after a mean of 16 sessions. The authors discuss six aspects of interpersonal therapy that make it useful with depressed HIV-infected persons: psychoeducation about the sick role; a here-and-now framework; formulation of problems from an interpersonal perspective; exploration of options for changing dysfunctional behavior patterns; identification of focused interpersonal problem areas (grief, role transition, interpersonal disputes, and interpersonal deficits); and the confidence therapists gain from a systematic approach to problem formulation and treatment. Results suggest that mental health professionals should consider interpersonal therapy as a treatment for depressed HIV-positive patients.
Markowitz
J C
JC
Cornell University Medical College, Payne Whitney Clinic, New York, NY 10021.
Klerman
G L
GL
Perry
S W
SW
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000523:psychology; D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D012380:Role; D012803:Sick Role