Conceptualizing Borderline Personality Disorder as a Relationship Use Disorder

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Borderline Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Bipolar Disorder (BD)

In brief

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."

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07337889

Run by

University Hospital, Montpellier

People needed

194

Starts

2026-06-01

Expected to finish

2028-08-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-22

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 45. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

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
• Excluded from another study during the exclusion period
• 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)

Where it is running

• CHU Montpellier — Montpellier, France (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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