Conceptualizing Borderline Personality Disorder as a Relationship Use Disorder

NCT07337889 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: RECHMPL24_0194
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 194
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief 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)

Keywords

borderline personality disorder; relationship-use disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Relational Addiction

  Using the experimental relationship-use questionnaire based on the DSM-5 Substance Use Disorder items among patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) without Bipolar Disorder (BD), those with BD without BPD, and healthy controls.

  Measured at baseline

Secondary Outcomes (14)

• Function Acquisition Speed Test (FAST)

  Measured at baseline

• Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for Perceived Alignment with BPD

  Measured at baseline

• Love Addiction Inventory (LAI)

  Measured at baseline

• Beta-Endorphin Levels

  Measured at baseline

• Dysfunctional Self-Perception and Related Indicators (SES)

  Measured at baseline

Study Arms (3)

Patients with borderline personality

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients with borderline personality disorder without bipolar disorder

Other: Relationship-use questionnaire

Patients with bipolar disorder

EXPERIMENTAL

patients with bipolar disorder without borderline personality disorder

Other: Relationship-use questionnaire

Healthy controls

EXPERIMENTAL

Healthy controls (i.e. without psychiatric disorders), from the general population

Other: Relationship-use questionnaire

Interventions

Relationship-use questionnaire OTHER

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

Healthy controls; Patients with bipolar disorder; Patients with borderline personality

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• General : aged 18-45
• Specific :
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)assessed by SCID, without bipolar disorder
• Bipolar disorder (assessed by SCID), without BPD (evaluated by SCID)
• Healthy controls with no psychiatric disorders (screened by SCID).

You may not qualify if:

• Psychotic disorders (evaluated by SCID)
• lack of informed consent
• Not affiliated with social security
• Under judicial or administrative confinement or involuntary hospitalization
• Protected by law (e.g., under guardianship)
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Inability to understand, speak, or write in French
• Inability to understand the study's purpose or methodology
• Participants who have received over €6000 in annual indemnities
• For Bipolar Participants (without BPD) : Current moderate or severe depressive episode (BDI score \> 18) or Current hypomanic/manic episode (YMRS \< 12)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital, Montpellier: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Borderline Personality Disorder; Bipolar Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personality Disorders; Mental Disorders; Bipolar and Related Disorders; Mood Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 11, 2025
• First Posted: January 13, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2028
• Last Updated: January 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-07