THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SHORT-TERM PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY IN DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY DISORDERS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) is a treatment modality for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and personality disorders. In this study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of the STPP programme in patients with depression and anxiety who were partially responsive to previous treatments. Participants were consisted of 36 patients, 27 of whom were female and 9 were male. A total of 12 sessions of STPP were applied to the patients included in the study, sessions lasting 45 minutes, every 2 weeks, for 6 months. During the STPP procedure, the nature of unconscious conflicts was tried to be understood. The quality of object relations and defence mechanisms were evaluated. The elements of resistance, transference, and counter-transference were examined. Psychodynamic formulation was formed. Treatment goals were determined together with the patient. In this direction, psychotherapeutic strategies have been developed. We evaluated pre- and post-treatment effectiveness according to clinical variables and also the change in self-destructive behaviours. Scales measuring their psychiatric status were administered at base-line, pre-and post-treatment. The primary outcome measures were depression and anxiety scores. At the end of STPP, depression, and anxiety scores were all significantly decreased. A significant improvement was observed in 94% of our patients who could not achieve adequate improvement with previous treatment interventions. During the psychotherapy process, none of the patients attempted suicide and there was a significant decrease in self-destructive behaviours. These findings suggest that STPP is an effective treatment in patients with anxiety disorders and depression, who have not achieved adequate response to previous standard psychiatric treatments.