Positive Experience Training - the new therapeutic proposal in the complex depression treatment : part I

Celem artykułu jest zaznajomienie Czytelnika z metodą Treningu Pozytywnych Doznań. Artykuł zawiera informacje o podstawowych założeniach prezentowanej metody, omówione zostały zasady przeprowadzania zajęć. Autorzy podają również informacje o wskazaniach i przeciwwskazaniach oraz efektach terapeutycznych metody. Trening Pozytywnych Doznań omówiony został także w kontekście innych podejść terapeutycznych, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem podejścia poznawczo-behawioralnego. Przedstawiono dodatkowo kontekst filozoficzny oraz nawiązania TPD do hedonizmu Epikura.

Positive Experience Training is our proposal to name the German therapeutic concept (Genusstherapie) created and developed by Dr. Rainer Lutz from Marburg University. The method aims at developing the ability to find and perceive pleasant sensual experiences, which are believed by its author as being important in treatment and prevention o f psychiatric disorders. The article informs about the concept and tries to introduce Polish terms specific for the method. The main principle of "euthymie" therapy, as the method is often named, is the statement that each therapeutic approach to depression treatment must include elements promoting development of and sustaining behaviours directed towards pleasant experiences. The article contains information on basic principles of the method, especially on the so-called "hedonistic rules" , which are general psychological hints on dealing with pleasant experiences. Rules o f conduction with the information on the order of senses being worked on, the number and the duration of meetings, the size and the character of a group, the choice of sensual stimuli and behaviours of therapists are presented. The authors also give information on indications, contraindications and therapeutic effects of the method. Positive Experience Training was also discussed in the context of other therapeutic approaches especially the cognitive-behavioural approach. A philosophical context and references to Epicure’s hedonism were presented.