The name comes from the character in Shakespeare’s play Othello, who murders his wife because of a false belief of infidelity.
Elena’s symptoms did not start until her first relationship. She was completely insecure and would often go through her boyfriend’s Facebook page. Likes and comments on his posts, from girls he had never met before, seemed suspicious to her, and caused her so much grief. She felt like locking him up so she could have him all to herself.
This psychological disorder is also known as delusional jealousy because affected individuals are often delusional, and hence have false beliefs of the infidelity of their spouses or partners. People who suffer from this disorder have a strong tendency to stalk, sabotage, or even resort to violence.
Symptoms
A person with delusional jealousy might feel a stabbing pain whenever their partner is being polite to the opposite sex; seeing people who match the partner’s interests might also make such a person feel a violent uncontrollable anger.
Causes
Personality: Fearful people who are very insecure and have low self-esteem are more likely to question their partner’s commitment to them.
Brain disorder: Othello has been associated with organic brain disorders such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s.
Drug and alcohol misuse: This has been linked to delusional jealousy. Amphetamine (a potent central nervous system stimulant that is used in the treatment of obesity) and cocaine have been known to increase the probability of a delusion of infidelity, which can continue even after the intoxication ends.
Treatment
The type of treatment depends on the symptoms that are observed in the individual. For example, if alcoholism plays a role in the behavior of an Othello patient, it is best to treat this addiction.
Therefore, Othello syndrome has numerous treatment options. Some of them are:
1. Treatment of the primary psychiatric condition.
2. Use of antipsychotic and antidepressant medication.
3. Psychoeducation for affected individuals and partners.
4. Therapy (behavioral, cognitive, family, and couple).
5. Psychotherapy (individual, insight-oriented).
6. Geographical separation of the partners.
7. Treatment of alcohol and substance misuse.
In extreme cases, the psychological syndrome drives affected individuals to murder their partners and spouses, and also commit suicide. This thus confirms the Song of Solomon which says,
“Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.”
