Clinics in Mother and Child Health

Abstract

IPT in Postpartum Depression

Goksen Yuksel and Nazan Aydın

Postpartum depression, causing women great suffering, has negative consequences for their social relationships as well as for the development of their infants. Treatment of perinatal depression is vital, otherwise, it may have negative consequences such as chronicity or the psychosocial growth retardation of the infant. Especially depressed mothers face the dilemma of medical treatment versus psychotherapy, although they have better longterm outcomes when used together in clinical practice. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), a time-limited, dynamically informed and present-focused psychotherapy which targets to improve the interpersonal functioning of patients is a convenient option for the patients mostly face the role transitions and need interpersonal support related to motherhood.