Studying Relationship Addiction in Adults Aged 18 to 45 with Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, or No Psychiatric Disorders

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying Borderline Personality Disorder BPD by exploring it as a Relationship Use Disorder, which shares features with behavioral addictions, especially addiction to interpersonal relationships. The study aims to show that the relational difficulties central to BPD meet addiction criteria defined by the DSM-5. It also investigates how these struggles relate to dysfunctional self-perception, compulsive sexual behaviors, suicidal tendencies, and neurobiological factors like endorphin levels compared to bipolar disorder and healthy individuals. Participants include adults aged 18 to 45 with BPD, bipolar disorder, or no psychiatric disorders. The study involves completing a relationship-use questionnaire adapted from the DSM-5 section on substance use disorders. Three groups are compared those with BPD without bipolar disorder, those with bipolar disorder without BPD, and healthy controls. All assessments occur at baseline to evaluate relational addiction and related psychological and biological measures. During the study, participants complete questionnaires measuring relational addiction, self-perception, painful relational experiences, compulsive sexual behavior, and suicidal tendencies. Researchers also measure beta-endorphin levels and assess functional abilities using various scales. The studys primary outcome is relational addiction measured at baseline, with several secondary outcomes related to psychological and biological factors. Participation lasts through baseline assessments with no mention of additional follow-up visits.

Conceptualizing Borderline Personality Disorder as a Relationship Use Disorder