Usually, jealousy manifests itself only when there is convincing evidence of infidelity, and when receiving refuting information, opinions can change. But for pathological jealousy, the real state of affairs has little effect on feelings.
Instruction manual
one
Confidence in the presence of an opponent is the main feature of jealousy, while the actual state of affairs may differ. If a real threat does not exist, trying to eliminate it takes too much time and energy. Pathological jealousy implies the presence of irrational thoughts and feelings in the absence of evidence. At the same time, the behavior is inadequate, the person is captured by thoughts about the infidelity of the partner.
2
The most convincing evidence of a partner’s innocence does not eliminate the suspicions of a pathological jealous, because he has his own. His proofs are based on all sorts of things not involved in the situation. A partner is often accused of cheating with many people. There are psychopathological symptoms of pathological jealousy: delusional, overvalued and obsessive ideas.
3
Delusions can manifest themselves in various suspicions about the behavior of a partner. The partner became infected with a sexual infection, the partner sprinkles a jealous person with substances that reduce sexual desire. All actions of the partner are interpreted arbitrarily, so that they can be taken as evidence of delusional ideas.
4
Obsessive thoughts about the infidelity of the partner take possession of the pathological jealous with the force of external influence, which can hardly be resisted. Too much time is spent on these thoughts, it is difficult for the patient to stop thinking about it. Obsessive thoughts lead to rechecking the partner’s actions, attempts to limit his freedom.
5
An overvalued idea with pathological jealousy is an idea on which the patient is concentrated in an inadequate degree. This is not a crazy idea, but it makes a person pay too much attention to the partner’s checks. Overvalued ideas can be corrected with reasonable arguments.
6
Pathological jealousy is very rarely manifested independently, most often it goes along with mental disorders. Some equate it with delusional disorder, others consider it the initial manifestation of schizophrenia, while others see in it the features of a paranoid personality disorder.
7
Pathological jealousy may be the result of an unhealthy attachment to a partner, an inferiority complex, and a decrease in sexual function. The use of narcotic substances and alcohol exacerbates the course of the disorder. In order to achieve fidelity from a partner, in some cases they resort to violent actions.