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Interpersonal psychotherapy for eating disorders with co-morbid depression: A pilot study.

Authors :
Bäck, Malin
Gustafsson, Sanna Aila
Holmqvist, Rolf
Source :
European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling. Dec2017, Vol. 19 Issue 4, p378-395. 18p.
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

Objective: Patients with eating disorders (ED) often suffer from co-morbid depression, which may complicate the ED treatment. Previous studies have found that ED interventions seem to have limited capacity to reduce depressive symptoms. Several studies of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), have found that when patients have been treated for depression, co-morbid symptoms have diminished. As depression and EDs are commonly co-occurring conditions, this pilot study aimed to examine the effect of an IPT treatment for these conditions, with the focus on the depressive symptoms. Method: In this multi-centre study, 16 patients with EDs and co-occurring major depression received 16 weeks of depression-focused IPT. Results: Significant improvements with substantial effect sizes were found for both depression (d = 1.48) and ED (d = .93). Symptom reduction in the two syndromes were strongly correlated (r = .625, p = .004). Patients with a restrictive ED did not improve on either depression or ED symptoms. Conclusion: These findings point to the usefulness of IPT for concurrent depression and ED with a bingeing/purging symptomatology. Working with negative affect and problem-solving related to current interpersonal problems may alleviate general psychological distress among these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
13642537
Volume :
19
Issue :
4
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
126315465
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/13642537.2017.1386226