Egodystonicity (the distress caused by thoughts that are unwanted and viewed as contrary to conscious wishes) generally varies a large amount between patients and “a continuum from obsessional to delusional, which morbid jealousy has been suggested” (Insel & Akiskal 1986). Jealous thoughts are experienced as intrusive and excessive, and compulsive behavior such as checking up on their partner may follow. Obsessions: the individual's own thoughts are egodystonic they are acknowledged to be senseless, and usually resisted.Medical history: organic causes which may be responsible for the morbid jealousy (i.e.Forensic history: previous and pending charges and convictions as well as deviant behavior which was not reported or did not result in a charge or conviction (including aggressive behavior and stalking).Relationship history: incorporating both the current and previous relationship and taking account of the quality of the relationships and the difficulties experienced.Family history: mental illness including pathological jealousy.

Past psychiatric history: neurotic or psychotic disorders, deliberate self-harm and attempted suicide.

Presenting difficulties: neurotic or psychotic jealousy.

Recently, some psychologists and psychiatrists have asserted that Othello was deceived rather than deluded about Desdemona's alleged infidelity and thus did not have ‘the Othello Syndrome’. The name 'Othello Syndrome' comes from the character in Shakespeare's play Othello, who murders his wife as a result of a false belief that she has been unfaithful. It can be found in the context of schizophrenia and delusional disorder, such as bipolar disorder, but is also associated with alcoholism and sexual dysfunction and has been reported after neurological illness (i.e. Unlike other delusional disorders, people who suffer from this disorder have a strong association with stalking, cyberstalking, sabotage, or even violence. This disorder occurs when a person typically makes repeated accusations that their spouse or sexual partner is being unfaithful, based on insignificant, minimal, or no evidence, often citing seemingly normal or everyday events or material to back up their claims. Overvalued ideas are characterized by being existent in the individual's own thoughts, being egosyntonic meaning that the ideas project the behaviors, values, and feelings that are aligned with the desires and aims of the individual's ego, or consistent with the individual's ideal self-image, the ideas are also amenable to reason but are not resisted. The idea is not resisted and, although it is not a delusion, the patient characteristically attaches utmost importance to investigating and maintaining the partner’s fidelity at great personal disadvantage and to the distress of the partner”.

Overvaluing an idea, which is defined as “an acceptable, comprehensible idea pursued by the patient beyond the bounds of reason. It is considered a subtype of delusional disorder. The most common cited forms of psychopathology in morbid jealousy are delusions and obsessions.

Pathological jealousy, also known as morbid jealousy, Othello syndrome or delusional jealousy, is a psychological disorder in which a person is preoccupied with the thought that their spouse or sexual partner is being unfaithful without having any real proof, along with socially unacceptable or abnormal behaviour related to these thoughts. JSTOR ( December 2011) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.įind sources: 'Pathological jealousy' – news Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.

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