Othello Syndrome: Imaginary Jealousy That Threatens Married Life
Jealousy is a natural human emotion, and it may even be a catalyst for improving some relationships. However, it can develop into a desire for possession and a fear of losing the other person, even developing into a psychological disorder known as "Othello Syndrome" or pathological delusional jealousy.
mental disorder
Othello syndrome is a mental and psychological disorder characterized by excessive suspicion of a partner's behavior, and the presumption of infidelity and disloyalty without any tangible evidence. This disorder can extend beyond marital relationships to include friends, family members, coworkers, and others.
The name of this syndrome goes back to the British psychiatrist John Todd in 1955, in reference to the irrational jealousy embodied by one of the heroes of William Shakespeare's play "Othello." Othello strangled his wife Desdemona to death after he suspected her of being unfaithful. He then committed suicide due to his misunderstanding and discovery of her innocence, describing himself as a man who had gone too far in his love and had not loved rationally. Nevertheless, he struggled to ward off jealousy, but it overcame him, and he continued with it until the end.
Restricting the partner's freedom
This syndrome is characterized by a set of unacceptable behaviors. The affected person is preoccupied with delusional thoughts about their partner's infidelity and constantly searches for illogical evidence and proof to prove their infidelity. This involves stalking, spying, checking their partner's call log, reading their emails, and monitoring their social media accounts and activity.
Some go so far as to install phone tapping apps, place hidden recording devices in the home, or directly accuse their partner of being attracted to or romantically liking someone else.
imbalance of power
Physiology Today quotes David Buss, a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin, as saying that jealousy indicates a power imbalance in a relationship , and when it becomes pathological, it can be extremely harmful and is a major driver of partner murder.
According to the psychology professor, pathological jealousy leads to attempts to control the other person in inappropriate ways, such as constantly monitoring their whereabouts, controlling their social circle, isolating them from friends and family, and attempting to undermine their self-esteem.
Although jealousy is common among both men and women, Buss explains that male jealousy is more dangerous. Figures in Western countries indicate that 50 to 70 percent of adult women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends, while wives only commit 3 percent of male murders.
Causes of Othello Syndrome
Feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and fear of losing a partner to a potential rival are major factors in the development of Othello syndrome, which promotes distorted interpretation of events and information and the development of false assumptions and perceptions. The most important causes include:
Some psychological disorders such as stress, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Childhood problems or negative experiences in previous relationships, whether betrayal or rejection .
Functional disorders resulting from the use of various types of drugs, especially since they increase the severity of delusional and obsessive thoughts.
Othello syndrome and various disorders
Othello syndrome is associated with several mental and neurological disorders, such as psychosis, schizophrenia, brain disorders, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. In 2017, a systematic review of medical records of 95 patients with symptoms of Othello syndrome was conducted. The study, published in the European Journal of Psychiatry, concluded that the syndrome was associated with neurodegenerative diseases at a prevalence of 59%, followed by side effects of certain medications at 13.7%, and vascular dementia at 8.4%. It was also frequently associated with patients with structural abnormalities in the right frontal lobe of the brain.
A lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem that leads to doubts about the sustainability of a relationship is supported by the case of British wife Debbie Wood, who was diagnosed with Othello Syndrome. In 2013, the Daily Mail described her as the most jealous woman in the world. She forbids her husband from watching women on TV or looking at their pictures in magazines, and forces him to take a lie detector test every time he leaves the house. Because she lacks self-confidence due to her suffering from body dysmorphic disorder, she sought bariatric surgery, believing that her husband would not consider running away with another woman if he had a beautiful, slim wife at home.
Risks associated with pathological jealousy
Harm and injury to self and others: In more severe cases, pathological jealousy can lead to criminal acts, including the murder of a spouse. This can be followed by intense remorse and suicidal thoughts. A study of 20 people with delusional jealousy, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry in 1998, found that 13 people threatened to kill their partners because of alleged infidelity, and 12 of them harmed their spouses, including three people who carried out their attacks with a weapon. Sometimes the violence is directed at a third party suspected of having an affair with the partner.
Child abuse: Children suffer physical and emotional abuse as a result of the behavior of a pathologically jealous parent. They witness constant arguments between parents and may be accidentally injured during the abuse. Sometimes, the abusive parent uses one child to spy on the other.
Effective methods of treatment
- A psychiatrist should be consulted if either partner feels excessively jealous.
- Commitment to cognitive behavioral therapy to identify the causes of jealousy and control it.
- Consult a mental health professional to diagnose underlying disorders and conduct mental screening tests to rule out certain diseases.
- A healthy partner in a relationship should avoid arousing the patient's doubts or evading answers to his questions.
- People close to you who trust you should talk to the person with Othello syndrome in a friendly manner and not ignore him or belittle his words and actions, as he may harm himself and others.
0 Comments