Therapy is not only worthwhile with Borderline

First study names total cost of borderline syndrome

26/11/2014

As the journal Behavior Research and Therapy reports, psychologists from the TU Braunschweig have for the first time compiled a cost statement for borderline expenses. The researchers come to a total of about 8.69 billion euros in their study, which annually burden the health system and the economy. According to the study, the costs would be cut by about 1.5 billion euros if only half of the patients could be treated.

Great damage from rare disease
According to the study, the personality disorder has drastic effects not only for the patients: „The BPS, although rare, causes high costs to the health care system, for example through frequent hospitalizations and admissions to the emergency room“, explains Dr. Christoph Kröger. „For society, there are further costs, for example unemployment or early retirement. In addition, there are sick leave days, if the persons concerned are still working“, said the head of the Psychotherapieambulanz TU Braunschweig. The study comes to a total of 8.69 billion euros annually, resulting directly or indirectly from the consequences of the disease and thus burden the health system, the economy and the social funds. „This result makes it clear that we are not only dealing with a medical problem, but that we as a society, especially in matters of early diagnosis and therapy, must increasingly turn to those affected“, Kröger appeals.

Every patient counts therapy is worthwhile
The so-called Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is considered internationally recognized psychotherapy. Studies have shown that using a combination of individual therapies, group therapies and phone coaching can reduce sufferers' suffering and improve their quality of life. Since the therapy is considered to be costly and time-consuming, the researchers have now investigated in their study to what extent the therapy has a cost-reducing effect. „The BPS, although rare, causes high costs to the health care system, for example through frequent hospitalizations and admissions to the emergency room“, explains Dr. Christoph Kröger.

„For society, there are further costs, for example unemployment or early retirement. In addition, there are sick leave days, if the persons concerned are still working“, said the head of the Psychotherapieambulanz the TU Braunschweig. Accordingly, the researchers come to the conclusion that the reduction of self-injurious behavior also significantly reduces the costs of treatment for hospitalization, ambulance and emergency treatment. „The results show that the investment in the DBT treatment is financially worth starting from the first patient. Regardless of how many sufferers would be willing to seek treatment, the cost-benefit ratio for successful therapy is always positive“, explains Eva-Maria Wunsch. „According to our estimates, each Euro invested could save around € 1.52 per year“, complements the prospective psychotherapist.

Extrapolated to the total population, this would result in savings of around 1.5 billion euros for the healthcare system, society and the economy, if only every second patient could be treated. „With our study results, we would like to point out to decision-makers and payers that it is 'worthwhile' for those affected and for society in the best sense to distribute and finance such complex and therefore cost-intensive therapies in Germany“, summarizes Christoph Kröger together.

Borderline syndrome
The Borderline Syndrome is a relatively rare mental illness, which according to experts affects about 0.5 to 1.4 percent of the population in Germany. „Those affected report emotions that are roller coaster and can not be controlled. Frequently, the interpersonal relationships are characterized by ups and downs. Most of those affected additionally have eating disorders and anxiety disorders“, explains Dr. Kröger. Due to the concomitant symptoms, the disease is therefore often not immediately recognized as such and therefore not treated accordingly, with fatal consequences for the patient: „The sufferers suffer so much from their disorder that 70 percent injured themselves and about 80 percent make at least one suicide attempt in their lives“, explains the head of the Psychotherapieambulanz of the TU Braunschweig. (Sb)