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IPT Identification — MRCPsych Paper B MCQ

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EasyPsychotherapyIPT IdentificationMRCPsych Paper B

A therapist treats an adult with depression using a structured, manualised, time-limited individual therapy delivered over approximately 12 to 16 sessions. The therapy formulates the depression around four interpersonal problem areas and links depressive symptoms to current relationships and circumstances. The agreed treatment focus is adjustment to a change in social role following redundancy. Which therapy is being used?

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Correct answer: D — Interpersonal psychotherapy

The correct answer is interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). IPT is a structured, manualised, time-limited treatment for depression (classically 12–16 sessions; NICE describes 8–16) that links depressive symptoms to current interpersonal relationships and circumstances. Klerman's four focal problem areas—grief, interpersonal (role) disputes, role transitions and interpersonal deficits—are pathognomonic of IPT; redundancy is a classic role transition, addressed by mourning the lost role, building skills and support in the new one. CBT targets the relationship between thoughts, emotions and behaviour rather than a four-area interpersonal formulation. DBT combines emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness skills, primarily for emotional instability and recurrent self-harm. MBT develops the capacity to reflect on mental states, mainly in borderline personality disorder. CAT, though also time-limited, uses collaborative reformulation of reciprocal roles and procedural patterns, not the four IPT problem areas.

Reference: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222), psychological treatment definitions table: interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). 2022. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng222/resources/depression-in-adults-treatment-and-management-pdf-66143832307909