There jealousy It is a complex emotional state, a common feeling, more or less accepted according to the historical and cultural contexts.
We can define it as the perceived threat of the loss of a significant relationship, with an imaginary or real rival, which manifests itself with emotional, cognitive and behavioral components.
There jealousy He brings with him a mix of emotions such as anxiety, concern, sadness, anger, hatred, regret, shame, bitterness and envy that can be considered on a continuum, from normal to pathological.
Healthy and pathological jealousy
Healthy jealousy
Some forms of jealousy are considered “normal”, or socially accepted, in relation to the proportion of the reaction in situations of possible infidelity. In these cases the person maintains the management of their emotions without being overwhelmed. Eventually he changes his beliefs and behaviors when he acquires new information.
Pathological jealousy
It can take on, however, pathological shades deviating from “normal” jealousy When the emotional experience becomes abnormal. That is, of an unusual, persistent intensity, with inconsistent emotional and cognitive content. This is even when they can rationally be considered absurd or, finally, when beliefs become “waterproof” even in the face of each comparison with reality.
In this case, the jealousy It begins with an intense activation reaction, called “jealousy flash”, caused by a (real or imaginary) change in the behavior of the partner. This is followed by a paroxysm of painful emotions, accompanied by erroneous interpretations and search for tests.
Pathologically jealous people implement specific behaviors, such as accusations and interrogations, repeated calls, control of phones and correspondence. But also surprise visits, persecutory behaviors, prohibitions to the partner to see their friends, go out alone or wear certain clothes, rummage between clothes and personal effects. Until the inspection of underwear in order to find the overwhelming proof of the partner’s infidelity.
As a result, these subjects can isolate themselves and develop a range of symptoms (sense of impotence, isolation, extreme passivity, etc.) and experimenting anxiety and depression that can also encourage alcohol or drug abuse.
Diagnosis of pathological jealousy
Obsessive jealousy symptoms
Pathological jealousy has some characteristics that differentiate it from normal jealousy.
To be such it must be excessive, intrusive and unjustified. The suspicion and paranoia become decisive traits. The jealous pathological It is pervaded by doubt and the uncertainty is intolerable.
It also must create a strong compromise of the couple relationship in which the reassurance they are ineffective and the check of the partner’s behavior becomes obsessive.
Pathological jealousy and nosology
At the diagnostic level the pathological jealousy It does not have a specific nosological entity. It is often represented as part of obsessive-compulsive psychopathology or as a delusional jealous disorder.
It can also be one of the components of numerous psychopathological disorders, such as dependence on substances or alcoholism, schizophrenia, depression, organic disorders (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cerebral tumors etc.), or can be a side effect of pharmacological treatments.
Differential diagnosis
In the so -called obsessive jealousyunlike delusional disorder, the person knows he has no proof of infidelity. Despite this, it cannot stop intrusive thoughts and control behaviors, however recognizing jealousy as unacceptable, foreign and shameful.
On the contrary, in delusional disorder with jealousy issues, the truthfulness of suspicion is not questioned. There are often false memories, bizarre interpretations of the partner’s behaviors and attempts to extort a confession.
There pathological jealousy (or obsessive) is often united and therefore diagnosed (when the delusional component is not present) within the obsessive-compulsive spectrum, identifying intrusive, repetitive and irrational thoughts regarding the infidelity of the partner as obsessions and controls or the search for reassurance by the partner as compulsions.
However, although phenomenology can be in theory similar to that of a Obsessive-compulsive disorder (DOC)it is not correct to diagnose this symptomatological manifestation as doc.
Paranoia and suspicion in obsessive jealousy
Some key points push us to support this position, not always shared. The theme of thoughts, in fact, even if we call them “intrusive”, is not typical of obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is rather more united to the so-called paranoia, since at the basis of thoughts there is the suspicion that the other is malicious or threatening.
Thoughts are in this case due to one strong suspicionmore or less egosintonic, who does not come to have the form of delusion and who maintains the “functioning” person in the various areas of life, but with a strong polarization of thought towards the suspicion or doubt of infidelity.
The personological nucleus However, the discriminating diagnostic remains to be taken into consideration when we are faced with a symptomatological manifestation such as the obsessive jealousy.
Obsessive jealousy and personality disorders
Borderline disorder of personality and jealousy
In borderline disorder, for example, it is nuclear the excessive fear of abandonment, which can lead to abnormal reactions in the face of a real or imaginary removal of the significant person because of their non -Amability. This can lead to terrifying fantasies of abandonment, extremely exacerbated by the imaginary presence of a more desirable or more lovable “rival”.
Also features of excessive suspicion and intolerance to highly negative emotions may also be present. These are often managed with impulsive behaviors aimed at lowering emotional intensity, but potentially dysfunctional for the subject.
Paranoid disorder of personality and jealousy
Even in paranoid disorder we can find manifestations of pathological jealousy, however linked to the perception of the other as a deceptive and a profile of pervasive suspicion towards others in general.
Employees of personality and jealousy
Finally, in the employee disorder it is possible to find strong fears of separation that can lead the patient to experiment with an intense state of alarm at the thought that the other significant can be removed (perhaps due to the presence of a “rival”) and direct its ideation towards terrific fantasies of treason and abandonment.
Care of obsessive jealousy
The research shows that in diagnostic framework and in treatment it is important to pay attention not only to the phenomenology of the symptom but also to the cognitive components and the personological substrate.
There psychotherapy It represents the treatment of election to resolve the causes of obsessive jealousy.
Research highlights the effectiveness of the Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy which, through the use of cognitive and behavioral techniques, aims to improve the self-control and the management of the cognitive-emotional component of jealousy.
In particular the approach of the Therapy scheme He proved to be effective in the treatment of obsessive jealousy. This approach is aimed at recognizing and eliminating the dysfunctional schemes deemed to be the basis of the insecurity towards the partner.
Finally, in cases where there is a complementarity between partners’ behaviors, a couple path is advisable that involves the learning of a series of strategies also in the partner in order to prevent jealousy from being fed and maintained by its own behaviors.
Insights
Download the first chapter of R. Leahy jealousy “free of charge of” Lahyosia “, published by Centro Studi Erickson
