NCT07337889: TLUR

Conceptualizing Borderline Personality Disorder as a Relationship Use Disorder

Not yet recruiting NA Last updated 13 January 2026

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Relationship-use questionnaire in Borderline Personality Disorder in 194 participants. Not yet recruiting.

Timeline

1 January 2026

Primary endpoint
1 November 2027

1 March 2028

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	University Hospital, Montpellier
Phase	NA
Status	Not yet recruiting
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	non randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	none
Primary purpose	other
Enrollment	194
Start date	1 January 2026
Primary completion	1 November 2027
Estimated completion	1 March 2028

Drugs / interventions tested

• Relationship-use questionnaire

Conditions studied

• Borderline Personality Disorder — all drugs for Borderline Personality Disorder →
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) — all drugs for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) →
• Bipolar Disorder (BD) — all drugs for Bipolar Disorder (BD) →

Sponsor

University Hospital, Montpellier

Who can join

Adults 18 to 45, any sex, with Borderline Personality Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

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."

Publications & conference data

No peer-reviewed publications indexed yet for this trial.