[Review of several different forms of psychotherapy in treatment of depression].

The present article endeavours to introduce, in a concise form, selected forms of psychotherapy for the treatment of depressions. In particular behaviour therapy (BT), cognitive therapy (CT), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and a psychoanalytically oriented and inspired therapy, subsequently named psychodynamic therapy (PT), are described. The attempt to offer a brief presentation of these treatment methods follows essentially the descriptions of Elizabeth Schramm in her book "Interpersonelle Psychotherapie". We thank the author for giving her kind consent to our publication. Our main concern is to enable the reader to recognize the essential characteristics and differences between these treatment forms, so that he can give the depressive patient advice on the choice of an adequate treatment. The first three brief psychotherapies have been developed specifically for the treatment of depressions. The psychodynamically (psychoanalytically) oriented approach is the most frequently used. CT, BT and IPT in particular have in common that they offer a temporally limited, clearly structured treatment programme in the sense of a manual, and are thus teachable and conveyable and efficient with respect to costs. We would point out, however, that combinations between the different treatment forms are possible and that a strict distinction between the separate methods is chiefly of didactic value. Essential to all treatment methods is the empathic and supporting relation to the patient. The therapist should play an active role and should convey the hope that the patient can be helped. All the described treatment forms are suited for the treatment of light to moderately severe depressions, with or without concomitant psychopharmacological therapy. In psychodynamic therapy the tendency is to dispense with medication, whereas CB, CT and IPT tend to integrate the use of psychoactive drugs in their treatment schedules. In our opinion psychopharmacological treatment should on no account be renounced to in severe depressions and where there is risk of suicide. We would also point out that IPT and CT offer specific group programmes for the in-patient treatment of depressive patients. The four treatment forms are briefly reviewed (theoretic background, treatment indications, monitoring, effectiveness), followed by a short overview of the most essential characteristics and differences between the separate treatment forms and by contact addresses.