background So far, there has not been a complete overview of the cost-effectiveness of psychotherapy for patients with a personality disorder.
aim To provide an overview of scientific literature on the cost-effectiveness of psychotherapy for patients with a personality disorder.
method We reviewed the literature systematically, searching the nhs eed, PubMed and Psycinfo databases. We concentrated solely on full economic evaluations of treatments in which all patients had a personality disorder.
results Most studies concluded that at least one of the psychotherapeutic treatments investigated was cost-effective. Dialectical behavior therapy was studied the most; schema therapy came next, followed by cognitive behavioural therapy.
conclusion In general, scientific evidence indicates that psychotherapeutic treatments for patients with personality disorders are cost-effective relative to the comparator treatments. This is important information because it can influence decisions on whether the costs of psychotherapy should be reimbursed.