IPT — MRCPsych Paper B MCQ

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Which psychological therapy is a structured, time-limited treatment for depression, usually delivered over 8–16 sessions, that links depressive symptoms to current relationships and focuses on areas such as grief, role transitions, interpersonal disputes and difficulty establishing or maintaining relationships?

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Correct answer: B — Interpersonal psychotherapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a structured, time-limited therapy developed for depression. It links depressive symptoms with current interpersonal circumstances and usually selects a principal focus such as grief, a role transition, an interpersonal dispute, or difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships. NICE describes courses of approximately 8–16 sessions. CBT instead targets interactions among thoughts, beliefs, emotions and behaviour. DBT emphasises behavioural skills, acceptance and management of severe emotional dysregulation. MBT aims to improve understanding of one’s own and others’ mental states, particularly in personality disorder. CAT identifies recurring relational roles and maladaptive procedural patterns. The characteristic interpersonal problem areas therefore identify IPT.

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