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Conceptualizing Borderline Personality Disorder as a Relationship Use Disorder

NCT07337889 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 194

Last updated 2026-01-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This study aims to explore a novel conceptualization of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) as a "Relationship Use Disorder." The research proposes that BPD shares key features with behavioral addictions, specifically addiction to interpersonal relationships. The study builds upon previous findings suggesting that individuals with BPD experience intense emotional dysregulation, including negative self-perception, shame, and a compulsive need for external validation. This addiction to relationships, much like substance use disorders, is thought to contribute significantly to the difficulties faced by these individuals, including interpersonal conflicts, self-destructive behaviors, and emotional instability.

The study seeks to demonstrate that the relational difficulties central to BPD meet the diagnostic criteria for addiction as defined by the DSM-5. It will also explore how these relational struggles are mediated by dysfunctional self-perception and whether they are linked to behaviors such as compulsive sexual behaviors (CSBD) or suicidal tendencies. Additionally, the research will investigate the relationship between addiction to relationships and neurobiological factors, including endorphin levels, in individuals with BPD compared to those with bipolar disorder and healthy controls. The hypothesis is that individuals with BPD will exhibit higher levels of relationship addiction, with this addiction being tied to their perception of self-worth and emotional experiences in relationships.

This innovative approach aims to refine the understanding of BPD, reduce stigma, and improve treatment strategies by providing scientific evidence supporting the conceptualization of BPD as a "Relationship Use Disorder."

Conditions

  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
  • Bipolar Disorder (BD)

Interventions

OTHER

Relationship-use questionnaire

Questionnaire adapted from the 'Substance Use Disorders' section of the DSM-5: Disorder related to the use of close relationships

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University Hospital, Montpellier

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
45 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-01-01
Primary Completion
2027-11-01
Completion
2028-03-01

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07337889 on ClinicalTrials.gov