An outcome of psychodynamic psychotherapy: a case study of the change in serotonin transporter binding and the activation of the dream screen.
We explored the outcome of psychodynamic psychotherapy of a female patient with major depression using clinical evaluation and serotonin transporter (SERT) binding assessed with [123I]nor-beta-CIT SPECT. The psychotherapy process was analyzed with special emphasis on the change that was recognized in the dreaming process. The activation of the dream screen in transference seemed to form a turning point during the psychotherapy. Normalization of SERT binding at the midbrain level was found on 12-month follow-up. Major alleviation of depressive symptoms assessed by rating scales was evident only six months after SERT normalization.
Saarinen
Pirjo Irmeli
PI
Adult Psychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. pirjo.saarinen@kuh.fi
Lehtonen
Johannes
J
Joensuu
Mikko
M
Tolmunen
Tommi
T
Ahola
Pasi
P
Vanninen
Ritva
R
Kuikka
Jyrki
J
Tiihonen
Jari
J
D000328:Adult; D001665:Binding Sites; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D004325:Dreams; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins