Premium
Psychotherapy as monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar II depression: a proof of concept study
Author(s) -
Swartz Holly A,
Frank Ellen,
Frankel Debra R,
Novick Danielle,
Houck Patricia
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bipolar disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.285
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1399-5618
pISSN - 1398-5647
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2008.00629.x
Subject(s) - interpersonal psychotherapy , mania , depression (economics) , bipolar disorder , psychology , randomized controlled trial , psychotherapist , intervention (counseling) , psychiatry , interpersonal communication , clinical psychology , medicine , mood , economics , macroeconomics , social psychology
Objectives: We conducted a proof of concept study to determine the feasibility of using an individual psychotherapy, Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), as monotherapy for the acute treatment of bipolar II depression. Methods: Unmedicated individuals (n = 17) meeting DSM‐IV criteria for bipolar II disorder and currently depressed received weekly psychotherapy (IPSRT) for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of acute treatment, individuals received an additional 8 weeks of follow‐up treatment consisting of continued weekly IPSRT with supplementary lamotrogine for IPSRT non‐responders. Results: By week 12, 41% (n = 7) of the sample responded to IPSRT monotherapy (defined as ≥50% reduction in depression scores without an increase in mania scores), 41% (n = 7) dropped out of or were removed from the study, and 18% (n = 3) did not respond to treatment. By week 20, 53% (n = 9) had achieved a response and 29% (n = 5) achieved a full remission of symptoms. Conclusions: Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy appears to be a promising intervention for a subset of individuals with bipolar II depression. A randomized controlled trial is needed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of IPSRT as an acute monotherapy for bipolar II depression.