Hello I m Darren Magee and today s question asks, What is Othello Syndrome?
So in this video I m going to look at what it is, where it comes from and look at some
of the common signs and characteristics behind it.
But I would like to remind you this video is for information purposes only.
So Othello Syndrome, sometimes also known as delusional jealousy or morbid jealousy
or sexual jealousy.
The term itself came from psychiatrist John Todd in a paper he published entitled, The
Othello Syndrome.
A study in the psychopathology of sexual jealousy.
It's named after Shakespeare s play Othello , in which the character Othello becomes so
obsessed by his wife's fidelity he resorts to violence as a means to control her.
Now Othello Syndrome does affect both men and women, but it seems to be more prevalent
in men.
It is a mental health disorder where someone is convinced their partner is being unfaithful,
often without any evidence.
They believe their partner has or is cheating on them, and they become obsessed by it.
Now, that being said, suspicions around a partner s fidelity alone are not indicative
of Othello Syndrome.
The partner may have a history of cheating.
Or there may not necessarily be evidence, but certain indicators.
For example, they may openly flirt with others or constantly talk about other men or other
women.
They may lie a lot.
But like with most disorders, the keyword is disorder . It is pervasive, it is consistent,
and I often think of it as the impact it has on a person's day to day functioning as well
as the impact it has on their relationship with themselves, as well as their relationship
with other people.
So the thoughts of infidelity becomes so obsessive that they prompt a compulsive response.
Now they could constantly be contacting their partner if they aren't around, they may stalk
them, follow them.
Constantly go through their personal belongings, maybe check their phones, their internet history,
some of even been known to plant recording devices.
In some people with Othello Syndrome a recognise the thoughts are obsessive and intrusive,
but they find it difficult to manage the compulsions.
Other times, they may be delusional.
It could be a sub type of Delusion Disorder, so they don't recognise the thoughts as being
unreal.
So some of the common signs of Othello Syndrome would be constantly focusing on the partner's
infidelity to the point where it is the predominant topic of conversation.
There are repeated accusations which they cannot prove, but the partner might not necessarily
be able to disprove them either.
For example, how can you prove you weren't thinking about something or someone?
Now any evidence the partner does have for their innocence, some people with Othello
Syndrome may actually see that as evidence of denial or covering up.
Another sign would be excessive control over the partner.
Who they talk tom what were they talking about?
What was the topic of conversation?
To the point where they want that conversation replayed again and again, word for word.
Almost looking for any discrepancy that could prove that they are lying.
One way or another, the partner often feels as if they're being constantly interrogated.
There could be constantly monitoring their online behaviour.
What was it they posted?
What did they like or comment on?
Or who liked or commented on their posts?
Who is that person?
How do you know them?
There can even be controlling over their partners daily schedules, daily routines.
Sometimes they even insist their partner stops work, leaves their job because there is someone
there they re either cheating with or they might cheat with.
In the play Othello he invents examples of evidence.
With Othello Syndrome, sometimes the change in their partners facial expression or tone
of voice, or they re singing along to a song on the radio, or a reaction to something,
that becomes evidence that their partner is up to no good.
And just like in the play there are extreme cases of maybe wanting to seek revenge, to
harm themselves, to harm the partner.
There have been cases where this has led to domestic violence, physical abuse and in some
very extreme cases, even homicide.
Now people with Othello Syndrome can be triggered differently.
Now a trigger is something that prompts an overwhelming emotional response.
Now that will either reveal or worsen the symptoms.
Men for example, they could be triggered by a perceived physical infidelity, such as kissing,
touching, sex.
Women could be triggered by perceived emotional infidelity, such as the development of a close
interpersonal friendship, or a very close working relationship with someone at the office.
What actually triggers them could be something quite insignificant or innocent actions.
For example, being a few minutes late, answering a text, or perhaps not answering a text.
Being seen talking to someone, deviation from an expected behaviour or routine.
All of these things can trigger the suspicion.
Now there are common causes, but there's no actual universal cause of Othello Syndrome.
There could be other mental health disorders relating to jealousy or obsessive thinking.
One type of delusional thought can sometimes develop into other kinds of delusional thoughts
and delusional thinking.
There is also a correlation between the misuse of alcohol and drugs.
Now alcohol and drugs are mind altering substances.
They can increase both the severity and the frequency of the obsessive thoughts.
Continued consumption of alcohol or drugs can also worsen the symptoms.
And also people with deep personal insecurities can also have a higher chance of developing
Othello Syndrome, especially if they form insecure attachments to other people.
There is no specific cure for Othello Syndrome, but it can be managed and the treatment really
depends on the symptoms as well as the severity of the symptoms that are exhibited by the
individual.
Can also involve taken into account other mental health difficulties the person may
be experiencing.
Treatment could even include addressing issues around addiction.
Antipsychotic or antidepressant medication is sometimes prescribed to help alleviate
the symptoms.
Therapy can also help by looking at ways to maintain a healthier thought patterns and
beliefs, and looking at ways to manage compulsive behaviour.
So that's a brief outline of Othello Syndrome.
As always, if there's anything I've missed please feel free to use the comment box below.
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and until next time, thanks for watching.