Othello syndrome: causes, symptoms and treatment

This delirium is based on unhealthy jealousy and paranoid thoughts about infidelities.

Othello syndrome, which is also called monosymptomatic jealousy delirium, is named after William Shakespeare's drama "Othello.is named after William Shakespeare's drama "Othello, the Moor of Venice", in which the character develops endless suspicions about his partner's supposed infidelity until he murders her and commits suicide.

This story describes how obsession and obstinacy dramatically destroy the ability to evaluate reality to an extreme in which other people are harmed. Next we will see the characteristics of this delusional disorder.

Pathological jealousy

Steve Wood is a newly married man who has now reached his thirties. Every time he comes home, he goes through the same ritual. His wife, Debbie, waits for him on the living room couch with a suspicious look on her face and an electronic device in her hand. Without batting an eyelash or showing any sign of opposition, he undergoes the same process every day: his wife puts him through a lie detector test..

This is "the most jealous woman in the world," says Debbie Wood, who married Steve Wood only a year ago. This is just one of the many manifestations of Othello syndrome, a delusional disorder based on jealousy..

This disease is characterized by totally irrational behavior. What does this mean? That the jealousy goes beyond explanation or real reason.

No matter the evidence or logic. The person affected by Othello syndrome sees what he/she wants (or doesn't want, rather) to see. Usually the illusion causes you to detect patterns in your partner's behavior that lead you to think about a change of habits on his or her part.

There are those who suffer for feeling deceived and not being able to prove it, since in the great majority of cases they are irrational and totally out of context.In most cases, these are irrational and totally out-of-context perceptions. The person experiencing Othello syndrome assumes that he or she is the victim of a conspiracy and feels betrayed by his or her romantic partner or by other individuals who, in some way, he or she believes belong to him or her.

Symptoms of Othello Syndrome

When we speak of Othello Syndrome, patients who suffer from it usually talk about "the other", without having a definite face or clear characteristics. It is "a ghost", an undefined shadow with which the illusion is recreated over and over again without any real clue or clear source of information.

The manifestation of symptoms can be triggered by small changes in daily life or habits: moving clothes from one drawer to another, buying a different brand of food or being a few minutes late at the usual time of arrival. All this unleashes delusional thoughts and jealousy begins to surface.

Unfortunately, Othello Syndrome often ends in gender violence or even homicide. Thus, at the first signs, it is advisable to treat the patient, at the first signs of Othello Syndrome, it is advisable to consult a professional..

How to recognize Othello Syndrome?

Some aspects that characterize the Othello Syndrome are the following syndrome are the following:

• Incorporation of an imaginary third party in the couple's relationship.
• The subject does not know how to control his jealousy because he is not aware of his problem.
• He is constantly on alert and vigilant about his partner's habits.
• Erroneous perception of the daily events of the couple, related to jealousy. They always seek justification for a situation of deception.
• Impossibility to control impulses, thoughts, false perceptions that are self-imposed.

Causes of this delirium

Othello syndrome is a reality whose causes are a mixture between biology and cultural aspects that enhance the importance of possessive love and based on a strong exclusivity. In fact, the pathological jealousy experienced by people with Othello syndrome fits very well with the role of a dominant person who watches over his or her romantic partner and possible competitors.

However, as far as the genetic and biochemical causes present in the brain of those who experience this kind of delusions are concerned, we still do not have much information on this phenomenon. There is little evidence on the physiological reasons for this phenomenon. behind this disorder, but it is not exclusively a question of behavior and internalized habits due to habit, at least according to the evidence. According to the latest research, jealousy has an emotional component based on self-esteem.

On the other hand, curiously enough, this phenomenon also occurs among different mammalian animals, where the word "self-esteem" is no longer relevant. if we were to give a Biological explanation to jealousy, it would probably be a consequence of what happens when the quest to preserve the family or offspring is taken to the extreme, added to the fear of loss.

Treatment

The psychotherapy has to confront the behavior of the patient and help him/her to locate the reality beyond his/her false beliefs about his/her partner's infidelity. This process may be hindered when the patient has no awareness of his or her illness and does not accept the possibility of having the syndrome.

In some specific cases, antipsychotic drugs may help in the recovery of impulse control. However, Othello Syndrome is a very complex illness and personal therapy is needed more than the mere use of medicationwhich, in any case, must be taken under medical indication and monitoring.

In addition, as they are extremely distrustful patients, the supervision of a family member is recommended for adherence to treatment, since they often do not carry it out properly or as recommended by the psychologist. Very few patients voluntarily come for consultation or want to undergo treatment. The vast majority seek to rescue the damaged relationship with their partner.