A Psychoanalytic-Derived Brief Psychotherapeutic Approach in the Treatment of Major Depression: Monotherapy Studies
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (STPP): Origins and Theoretical Foundation
- changes in the patient (better understanding of symptoms and conflicts, internalization of the alliance and ability to consciously manage the problem);
- modalities of change in the patient (active engagement, elaboration of relevant problems, ability to establish a therapeutic alliance);
- means used by the therapist (facilitation of expression, comprehension and reworking, ability to provide useful elements to integrate the patient’s information).
1.2. STPP in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- decreasing intensity of symptoms through expression of suppressed negative feelings;
- modulation of Super-Egoic standards of perfection, in order to reduce feelings of inappropriateness and guilt and to strengthen self-esteem;
- increasing awareness on the patient’s current interpersonal relationships [32].
2. Methods
3. Results
- (1)
- STPP efficacy in MDD, compared with other treatment strategies, is more apparent at long-term follow-up rather than in the immediate post-treatment period.
- (2)
- STPP may be more effective in moderate than in mild depression.
- (3)
- In case of depression with concomitant psychiatric comorbidities, the efficacy of STPP must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- (4)
- STPP is effective in preventing MDD recurrences.
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Malan | Sifneos | Davanloo | Mann | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Selection criteria | Yes | Strict | Yes | Broad |
Number of meetings | 20–40 | 12–20 | 5–40 | 12 |
Predetermined endpoint | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Active therapist | Yes | Very active | Very active | Yes |
Neutrality | Yes | No | No | No |
Focus | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Transference interpretation | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Targeting defence mechanisms | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Confrontational approach | No | No | Yes | No |
Suggestive approach | No | No | No | Yes |
Pedagogical approach | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Relaxation techniques | No | No | No | No |
Pharmacological treatment | No | No | No | No |
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Di Salvo, G.; Bianco, M.; Teobaldi, E.; Maina, G.; Rosso, G. A Psychoanalytic-Derived Brief Psychotherapeutic Approach in the Treatment of Major Depression: Monotherapy Studies. Medicina 2022, 58, 1335. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58101335
Di Salvo G, Bianco M, Teobaldi E, Maina G, Rosso G. A Psychoanalytic-Derived Brief Psychotherapeutic Approach in the Treatment of Major Depression: Monotherapy Studies. Medicina. 2022; 58(10):1335. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58101335
Chicago/Turabian StyleDi Salvo, Gabriele, Matteo Bianco, Elena Teobaldi, Giuseppe Maina, and Gianluca Rosso. 2022. "A Psychoanalytic-Derived Brief Psychotherapeutic Approach in the Treatment of Major Depression: Monotherapy Studies" Medicina 58, no. 10: 1335. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58101335