What is the Othello syndrome?

Othello's syndrome (OS), named after the character in Shakespeare's play refers to the delusion of infidelity

delusion of infidelity

Othello syndrome is a psychotic disorder characterized by delusion of infidelity or jealousy; it often occurs in the context of medical, psychiatric or neurological disorders.

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Dangerous passion: Othello syndrome and dementia - PubMed

of a significant other, which is sometimes used interchangeably with delusional or morbid jealousy.

What causes Othello syndrome?

Othello syndrome is caused by obsessive, intrusive, and/or delusional thoughts that can be linked to other mental health disorders (such as schizophrenia), alcoholism, drug use (especially amphetamines or cocaine), or personal insecurities. The triggering event is usually an imagined instance of infidelity.

Is Othello syndrome a mental illness?

Othello syndrome is a psychotic disorder characterized by delusion of infidelity or jealousy; it often occurs in the context of medical, psychiatric or neurological disorders.

Why is it called 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.

How do you treat Othello syndrome?

A low-dose antipsychotic agent is the first line of pharmacological treatment, especially when a level of psychosis has been assessed. Pimozide 2 mg daily for several weeks is specifically indicated for monosymptomatic delusional states such as paranoid jealousy ideations and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

What is Othello syndrome? The unhappy symptoms

How do I know if I have Othello syndrome?

The most common symptoms in PD-related psychosis are visual hallucinations. Othello syndrome (OS) is a type of paranoid delusional jealousy, characterized by the false absolute certainty of the infidelity of a partner, leading to preoccupation with a partner's sexual unfaithfulness based on unfounded evidence (4).

Can a person with delusional disorder live a normal life?

People with delusional disorder often can continue to socialize and function normally, apart from the subject of their delusion, and generally do not behave in an obviously odd or bizarre manner. This is unlike people with other psychotic disorders, who also might have delusions as a symptom of their disorder.

What are the signs of morbid jealousy?

In morbid jealousy, the content of the psychopathological experience is the preoccupation with a partner's sexual infidelity. The most commonly cited forms of psychopathology in morbid jealousy are delusions, obsessions and overvalued ideas.

What is Othello's fatal flaw?

Some say that Othello's tragic flaw was jealousy which flared at suspicion and rushed into action unchecked by calm common sense. A more modern interpretation would say that Othello's tragic flaw was that he had internalized, that is taken into himself, the prejudices of those who surrounded him.

What causes jealousy in the brain?

In healthy humans evoked jealousy is accompanied by increased activation in the basal ganglia, and frontal lobe, particularly vmPFC, with exaggerated jealousy also being associated with increased interpersonal aggression (Harmon-Jones et al., 2009; Sun et al., 2016).

How do you help someone with delusional jealousy?

Antipsychotic medications can be included in the treatment plan along with individual and family therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is highly recommended for people with jealous delusions, who must learn to see themselves, their lives, and the world more realistically.

Can morbid jealousy be cured?

Delusional jealousy is a psychotic disorder and should be treated mainly with antipsychotics, while obsessive jealousy resembles obsessive-compulsive disorder and should be treated with SSRIs and cognitive-behavioural therapy.

Is jealousy a trauma response?

Why do we feel jealousy? Therapists often regard the demon as a scar of childhood trauma or a symptom of a psychological problem. And it's true that people who feel inadequate, insecure, or overly dependent tend to be more jealous than others.

What triggers schizoaffective disorder?

Rather than a single cause it is generally agreed that schizoaffective disorder is likely to be caused by a combination of factors, such as: stressful life events. childhood trauma. brain chemistry.

What were Othello's last words?

'Soft you, a word or two before you go': so begins Othello's last major speech before he stabs himself. His last words, famously, are 'I kiss'd thee ere I kill'd thee'.

What are Othello's negative traits?

Othello is not without flaws however. He is too proud, too trusting, too impulsive and extremely insecure despite his outward show of arrogance.

What is the main tragedy in Othello?

Othello is also a domestic tragedy: the tragedy of marriage. Othello and Desdemona have a passionate love which could be seen as a threat to the rules established by patriarchal order: their intense, emotionally charged and equal marriage challenges ideas about class, race and the conformity of women.

What kind of trauma causes jealousy?

Trust Issues and Past Trauma – Some people are traumatized by their past relationships. Having someone who cheated on them makes it difficult to trust again, even in a new relationship. When a person lacks trust, seemingly innocuous stimuli can easily trigger jealousy.

What mental illness causes extreme jealousy?

As schizophrenia and affective disorders were the most common diagnoses, most patients with delusions of jealousy were schizophrenics. In schizophrenia, women were more likely to suffer from delusional jealousy, while in alcohol psychosis men were more likely to suffer from delusional jealousy.

Is jealousy a trait of bipolar?

It's also a symptom of mental health conditions and commonly occurs in the presence of bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and other personality disorders.

What are the signs of a delusional person?

Experiencing a delusion or delusions. Poor insight into irrationality of one's delusional belief(s) Believing that others are attempting to harm the person (persecutory type) Belief that others are in love with the person (erotomanic type)

What age does delusional disorder start?

Age mean age of onset is about 40 years, but the range is from 18 years to 90 years. The persecutory and jealous type of delusion is more common in males, while the erotomanic variety is more common in females.

What are the 7 types of delusional disorder?

What are the 3 levels of jealousy?

What is the root emotion of jealousy?

Jealousy is often motivated by insecurity or fear. Showing compassion to your loved one for these difficult feelings is paramount. Talk openly about what triggers their jealousy and what changes may help them feel less upset.