The Interpersonal Solution to Depression: A Workbook for Changing How You Feel by Changing How You Relate

I'm so clumsy—aren't I?

Oh, I look so fat! Don't I look fat?

Psychologists tell us that people suffering from depression often exhibit three social characteristics that can make them more prone to the disorder: impaired social skills, excessive interpersonal dependency, and excessive interpersonal inhibition. Imagine someone who might ask you one of the questions above. How would you respond? Depressed individuals can oftentimes crave validation from those around them, yet feel devastated when they get criticism or feedback that is not to their liking. Sometimes even their persistent craving for attention is enough to incline others to push the needy individual away, resulting in feelings of rejection—yet another potential depression trigger. People who have trouble relating socially to others at all may be disposed to feelings of loneliness and hopelessness, which are primary risk factors for depression.

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a different way of thinking about the problem of depression. This short-term therapy, proven effective for the treatment of depression, works to identify the connection between interpersonal conflicts and depression. IPT seeks to help individuals struggling with depression modify their relationships to make them more supportive and less likely to cause or maintain feelings of depression. This book offers a step-by-step program you can use to make IPT work for you. Through its worksheets and exercises, you'll learn to develop a more healthy and accurate self-perception of your own social skills. You'll be coached to practice assertive behaviors, overcome inhibitions, and conquer your fear of failure. By increasing your awareness to the link between mood and relationships, and by helping you change the way you relate to others, this book will help you obtain significant relief from feelings of depression.

This book has been awarded The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Seal of Merit — an award bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to jump-start changes in their lives.

Thomas Ellis Joiner, Jr., PhD, attended Princeton University in Priceton, NJ, and received his PhD in clinical psychology in 1993 from the University of Texas at Austin. He is Bright-Burton Professor of Psychology and director of the University Psychology Clinic at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. His recent papers on the psychology, neurobiology, and treatment of depression, suicidal behavior, anxiety, and eating disorders have received international attention. He is regarded as the current leading expert in interpersonal approaches to depression. Author of over 185 peer-reviewed publications and over 100 conference presentations, he has served as associate editor of the Journal of Behavior Therapy and sits on ten editorial boards, including those of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, and Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice.

Jeremy W. Pettit, PhD, is assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Houston in Houston, TX. He completed his doctoral training at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. His primary area of interest centers on etiological and maintaining factors in depression spectrum disorders. His secondary interests include treatment of depression and biopsychosocial approaches to understanding and preventing suicide. He has published over thirty-five scientific journal articles and edited book chapters on these topics.

Foreword writer Lynn P. Rehm, PhD, ABPP, is professor of psychology at the University of Houston in Houston, TX, and president-elect of the Division of Clinical and Community Psychology of the International Association of Applied Psychology.