Jealousy, especially in bilateral relationships, can become a major problem that wears out the parties over time. This emotional state, which can be frequently encountered in interpersonal communication, is a concept that is sometimes difficult to explain or express, and often cannot be made sense of between individuals. When the severity of the symptoms of jealousy on the person increases and the case draws a pathological picture with its behavior and attitudes, it is called Othello syndrome. Othello syndrome, which is obsessive jealousy, is based on reasons such as low self-perception or lack of trust. Othello syndrome is a psychological disorder that needs to be treated and can have serious effects.
Othello syndrome (pathological jealousy)Pathological jealousy, also called pathological envy, is a disease that causes obsessive thoughts in the person and needs to be treated.
Pathological jealousy is considered to be the first step that leads to the phenomenon we call envy.
It is the first step of thinking'if I don't have it, he shouldn't have it either'.
Wanting to have a feature or object that someone else has is called envy. There is nothing pathological about this.
The thought "If I don't have it, someone else shouldn't have it either " triggers the emotion we call envy.
Othello syndrome (pathological jealousy) is jealousy based on the fear of not losing what you have, and the other is jealousy of wanting to have what someone else has.
The jealousy of not losing what you have shows insecurity;
- worthlessness,
- It brings feelings of helplessness.
Symptoms of Othello Syndrome (Pathological Jealousy)
The symptoms of Othello syndrome (Pathological Jealousy) are more common in bilateral relationships. Generally, the symptoms of Othello syndrome, i.e. jealousy, can manifest themselves as follows.
- Obsessive jealousy of the person they are with from everything and everyone
- Don't make up unlikely scenarios and believe him
- Phobia of separation from a lover or partner
- Overreaction to a simple event
- Excessive aggression and violent tendencies
- The tendency to obsessively restrict oneself from everything
How is Othello Syndrome Diagnosed?
Othello syndrome is more common in men than in women. A person with Othello syndrome makes accusations of infidelity against their partner. He or she attempts to look for evidence and interrogates his or her partner frequently. In addition, he or she tries to test his or her partner's fidelity. Othello syndrome is associated with psychosis, schizophrenia, alcoholism and substance abuse.
To answer the question of how Othello syndrome is diagnosed, the Othello syndrome test is applied to the client through an expert counselor. The person is analyzed through a series of questions asked by the expert and Othello syndrome is diagnosed with the support of the symptoms of the syndrome. Then, according to the psychiatrist's evaluation, an appropriate treatment method is determined for the patient. It is important at this stage that the patient accepts his/her illness and is prepared for the treatment process. The person will feel more comfortable and happy after the treatment. He/she will be able to establish a healthier communication and a tolerant attitude in his/her relations with his/her environment.
Othello Syndrome (pathological jealousy) greatly affects bilateral relationships.
When it comes to the relationship between spouses, Othello syndrome (pathological jealousy),
"Darling, I trust you, but I don't trust the environment. I know you won't do anything wrong, but there are so many different people around" are some words that are accepted in society such as "people who love are jealous, jealousy in doses is good".
It should not be forgotten that these partially acceptable words are an important step towards making life and the relationship difficult in the future.
The person you hear these words from may be your lover, your spouse, your friend. "I trust you, but I don't trust the people around you" in Turkish actually means "I don't trust you very much either".
It is not the right behavior to ask for your lover's or spouse's Instagram password and check the messages written to them. People who know themselves will carry themselves. No one has the right to poison anyone else's life, to rule over someone else's life, even in the life of a spouse or lover.
In Othello syndrome, even if the person is aware of this situation, he cannot control his impulses, so he must definitely get support from a specialist psychiatrist. If support is not received, the person may get worse, both himself and the person in his life may have a difficult time, and over time, this situation may become unmanageable.
How to Get Rid of Othello Syndrome?
Othello syndrome is a psychopathological disorder that must be treated. If left untreated, the patient will not be able to balance daily life and will experience difficulties. It is very difficult for people with Othello syndrome to establish long-term relationships with the opposite sex within a healthy communication framework. These people have difficulty focusing on the people and events around them. For this reason, people with Othello syndrome should start treatment with the support of a specialist. Since Othello Syndrome is a serious disorder, it is not possible to treat it without the support of a specialist.
A specialist psychiatrist can begin treatment by investigating the underlying causes of the syndrome. Addressing disorders that may trigger Othello syndrome, such as drug or alcohol addiction, neurological diseases (psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.) or anxiety disorders will be a priority in the treatment of the syndrome. By addressing the clinical picture of the disease, medication or cognitive behavioral therapy can be used. The aim is to help people with delusional jealousy overcome their insecurity and controlling impulse.
Othello Syndrome (Pathological Jealousy) Treatment
The most pathological form of jealousy is othello syndrome (pathological jealousy).
In Othello syndrome (pathological jealousy); when there is nothing, no concrete data
- The person cannot answer the phone at that moment,
- Returning 3 minutes later than he said he would,
- The presence of a strand of hair on her clothes, etc. does not lead one to a suspicion but to a conviction.
In Othello syndrome (pathological jealousy), if a woman has a short hair on her clothes, for a man it can mean that she has definitely cheated on him. In Othello syndrome (pathological jealousy), for a man, the fact that his wife has liked a man's photo is conclusive evidence.
Othello syndrome (pathological jealousy) is not a very noticeable disorder. The functioning of the person is only in that limited area related to his/her spouse or lover, it is impaired in that limited area. These people can work as doctors, lawyers, housewives.
But in bilateral relationships, there is fighting every day, noise every day, and making life miserable for the person they love. It is a very serious picture. Some of the news that are sometimes reflected on the 3rd page, 'he brought insanity', are cases of pathological jealousy.
There is othello syndrome (pathological jealousy) under some of the murders of women. According to him, if a woman wants a divorce, the reason for it is not violence or incompatibility, it is definitely infidelity. These cases should definitely receive psychological treatment.
The milder form is the one in which the person constantly follows the person he/she is obsessed with on social media, which leads the person to depression.
These people feel depressed,
- Sad
- Helpless
- Worthless
- He feels unhappy.
He makes life miserable by boring the other person, taking control, trying to know everywhere he goes, trying to determine his friends. Such love is unfortunately not acceptable. In such cases of jealousy, at least therapy support is necessary.
It should be emphasized that the words "jealousy in doses" and "loving people are jealous" expressed in society do not always express innocence and love.
What are the Causes of Othello Syndrome?
Othello Syndrome is a psychopathological disorder that can develop if triggered by other psychological disorders.
- At the core of obsessive or delusional jealousy lies insecurity and low self-perception. Such psychological problems lead to anxiety disorders.
- Neurological disorders such as borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia (paranoid) or psychosis are risk factors for Othello syndrome. These diseases can predispose to the development of Othello syndrome.
- If the right frontal lobe of the brain is not functioning properly or is damaged, a person may show symptoms of Othello syndrome. Diseases caused by neurological damage such as Parkinson's disease or similar brain traumas and brain diseases can cause obsessive jealousy.
- Alcoholism and substance abuse can also trigger Othello syndrome.
