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Interpersonal Psychotherapy

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1044

I think I mentioned in another post about my sudden onset of depression this week. I talked to my therapist this week and he indicated that he thought it was physical/hormonal because it was so sudden like someone flipped a switch.

Well, today my friend and I were IMing and I out of the blue said I can't do this. He was like ooookkkkaaaayyyy. A few questions and a few struggling answers later and I realized, I am having that damn thingy "I don't deserve this" running through my brain and "I can't do this" referring to a relationship. He knows about my depression and so I ended up calling him, crying and telling him these things. He seemed to understand. I do question whether or not I can do it (emotionally). I keep thinking like the little train that could. I think I can, I think I can. It's so difficult.

Me, I am glad I recognized it for waht it was (sabotaging) because of negative core beliefs, but embarassed that I did such a thing to start with. I'd like to recognize it, before I blurt it out. I've done it in the past pre-depression which I think is related to the ACOA issue discussed in another post, but I don't know. The thought process is: I don't deserve to be in a relationship where someone is nice to me, educated, smart, funny, communicates, etc. I "belong" with someone who, lol, is just the opposite. I dunno. I am just very glad he is familiar with depression and understood that it was part of what I am going through right now.

Diva, I am ABD in Rehabilitation Counseling. I am retired (early) from employment due to the depression.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 910

Hey Goofy,

I am so thrilled to hear you are doing better then the last time you were here! It is good to see yuo too hun! I missed you! I am glad to hear the program helped yu gain so much ground. I intend to get back on it! Week 4 here I come! As for your doctprate, I beleive: all in good time! But a doctorate in what (only answer if I am not being too nosy!)? As for reading books again: Woohoo! way to go girl! Let's celebrate, that is great! Fantastic!

As for meeting a man: OOOOHHHH!

And yes I can beleive it! And of course it is scary. Dating is a scary thing! I am so glad I am not on the dating scene anymore! So way to go to you for going out there and meeting someone and daring to live and love and grow and dream! You go girl!

Hmmm, ITP sounds good to me. I will look into it when I have the chance. thanks for all the info! Oh and then we can compare notes!

You are so great! As for Freud, I agree with you on him! Lol!

Once again glad to hear from you and congratulations on all your victories and progress!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 910

Hey Goofy,

Happy to see you hun! I am actually late for an appointment atm but I wanted to say hello and I will be back!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1044

Diva,

I'm doing better than I was last time I was here. I've only been back around a couple of weeks. It's great to see you, but wish under better circumstances for you. I've gained so much ground by working this program. I'm not ready to go back to finish my doctorate, but I'm working hard to get there. I'm reading books again!!!! We have to celebrate the small things sometimes, huh?

Yes, I met a man! Can you believe it! However, it's scary but I'm not letting the anxiety interfere. I'm keeping it at bay.

ITP- sounds like something you and I both can relate to....My memory is still a work in progress as well. So this comes directly from the ISIPT (International Society of Interpersonal Psycho Therapy)

IIt's based on a premise (even though the theoretical basis is unclear) that problems with depression come from within the realm of interpersonal context and are often interdependent with the illness process. Depression in the context of ITP is conceptualized in three components 1. symptom formation 2. social functioning and 3. personality contributants.

ITP intervens with social functioning through 4 areas. 1. Interpersonal disputes 2. role transition 3. grief and 4. Interpersonal deficits. It operates in a collaborative framework with a manual and adherence to the manual is predominant modality of treatment. The issue of regression is addressed from the get-go so problems with transferance and counter-transferance are addressed, too.

I would suggest if you want to know more google ISIPT. I found it very useful information and it makes sense to me. It seems logical - more so than Freud (but that isn't saying much, now is it). lol

Again, so good to see you, will be great to get your insight and look forward to reading your posts!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 910

Hey Goofy!

How are you hun?

Congratulations on dating again! Wohoo! what a positive step! I am so psyched for you! You should be so proud of yourself. Plus I think you got great advice here!

Btw, how does IPT look?

Anyway, hope this post finds you well!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1044

I found it and am reading more about it.

I like what you said about not losing myself. Autonomy! I think that is a fear that I have - maybe to an extreme. I don't want to.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11216

Hi Goofy,

Have you tried typing in "Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)" into google? You can type this and then other words you would like to be used like panic or depression. Give that a try.

Congratulations on starting to date again! This is a very positive step forward! You should be proud of yourself!

I think you are right in having neutral expectations especially early on but I don't think you should worry about the odds of him being the one. He could very well be the one but there is no need to worry about that right at the moment. Enjoy your time with him and getting to know him. If he is the one then great if not then be happy you had a good experience with him and that you had the opportunity to learn with him even if it is for a short while. Either way its positive so enjoy!

Relationships can be difficult for anyone and the lose of a relationship can cause an expected down time as well. If you are in a relationship and it ends this can be hurtful and it may cause depression but I do not think that this should keep you from experiencing a relationship. Often times people who are lonely can be depressed as well. If you try to live your life avoiding risk in order to prevent depression you may in return become depressed because you are avoiding life. The key is to enjoy the relationship, remain positive but keep some autonomy as well. Maintain your interests and friendships outside of the relationship so if it doesn't work out it doesn't feel like your life is over.

Relationships can be hard work, stressful and depressing but they can also be exciting, fulfilling and your shelter from the storm. It is worth the risk be gentle with yourself and stay strong. I am very happy for you and you should be as well!

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1044

I was working on the Relationship exercises and the material referred to Interpersonal Psychotherapy. I was wanting to learn more about this. However, when I tried to search the internet, I go "no matches". Can you suggest another 'wording' for me to explore this further. I also tried Interpersonal Theory and Intrapersonal Theory (found a little bit on this).

I have, after four years, started dating again. I am trying to expect a positive outcome. However, we are just getting to know each other. We developed a friendship before starting to date, but realistic expectations, seem to me, should be initially neutral. I mean the odds of him being the "one" are not in his (my) favor. I don't even know if I hope it has a positive outcome. Am I making any sense? Maybe I'm confusing the two because I read about positive outcomes vs. negative outcomes also. "Back to behavior".

It is a concern of mine, prior to reading these exercises, what if I think the relationship has potential and he doesn't. How will I deal with that in terms of my depression. It makes me anxious about going back to where I was with the depression.

I don't think it's unrealistic as the reading indicated that sometimes relationships can trigger depression to start with. It seems I have to determine if the risk of the depression returning is worth taking the risk of having a relationship.

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