Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
IPT is a type of therapy used to treat eating disorders such as binge eating disorder or bulimia. IPT explores your eating disorder in light of social and interpersonal relationships.
In IPT, there are four main problem areas. Among them are:
- Interpersonal deficits: These often include feelings of isolation or a lack of meaningful, fulfilling relationships. These relationships do not have to be romantic, but can also be with family members and friends.
- Role disputes: These usually involve differences in expectations between yourself and others in your life, such as parents, friends, family members, or employers.
- Role transitions: These deals with major changes in life, such as going out on your own for the first time, starting a new job, or starting a new relationship.
- Grief: It refers to feelings of loss after a friend or relative dies or the end of a relationship.
You and your doctor will discuss how each of these problem areas contributes to your eating disorder. Eventually, they’ll help you improve your communication skills and interpersonal skills so that you can reduce your symptoms.