Pondicherry Journal of Nursing Vol 9 Issue 1 Jan – April 16 SYNDROME *Prabavathy.S

Abstract The brief review hopes to provide u basic review about 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. The Othello syndrome was named by the English Psychiatrist 'John TODD'' {1914-1987). The Othello syndrome is also known as delusional jealousy, morbid jealousy, or sexual jealousy.jealousy is common, complex, normal emotion the delusion of infidelity of aspouse or partner. The Othello syndrome affects males more than females. It is characterized by recurrent accusations of infidelity, msearches for evidence, repeated interrogation of the partner, tests of their partner's fidelity. This syndrome may appear by itself or in the course of paranoid schizophrenia, alcoholism, or cocaine addiction. The extreme behavior in which the dominant theme is a preoccupation with a partner's sexual unfaithfulness based on unfounded evidence. Keywords: Othello syndrome, Morbid Jealousy, Infidelity

Etiology Definition • Psychological: There are many Othello Syndrome or delusional jealousy is psychological causes that go along with a psychiatric disorder in which a person morbid jealousy holds a strong delusional belief that his/her • One's memories are subconsciously spouse or sexual partner is being unfaithful changed and their partner's actions are without having any, very little or misinterpreted as well as to extent that the insignificant proof to back up his/her claim. person is absolutely convinced of betrayal Epidemiology from the partner • Delusional jealousy is fairly common in the • Personality: people who are very insecure country or fearful are more likely to come anxious or • Men and women differ dramatically when question their partner's commitment to it comes to morbid jealousy them • Men . who suffer from morbid Jealousy are • Environmental: Someone who is morbid more likely than women to use violence and jealous might suspect that he or she is being also are more likely to harm. drugged or given some kind of substance • Women tend to become more jealous of that might decreases his/her sexual potency. a potential threat on their rival's youth • and physical attractiveness. Associated Risks Harm to self • Suicidal thoughts is unfortunately common in morbid jealousy, especially

* Asso.Professor, HOD MHN, KGNC, Puducherry

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Pondicherry Journal of Nursing Vol 9 Issue 1 Jan – April 16

• Social work involvement for the child protection issues • Individual dynamic psychotherapy because of the association withdepression • Insight oriented behavior therapy and substance abuse Prognosis Risk to others • The prognosis for morbid jealousy • Violence may occur in any relationship depends on the underlying phenomenology, marry by morbid jealousy the existence comorbid mental disorders

• Repeated denial of infidelity may present and theresponse to the

• Violence is associated and increased risk of psychosocialinterventions. death Conclusion

Risk for children Othello syndr:ome is a delusion of spousal • Suffer by physical abuse infidelity. It may take the form of • With arguments and physical violence a delusion, an obsession or an overvalued • Be injured accidentally during assaults idea, or combination of these. Early • Spy on a parent identification and treatment are most Management of Morbid Jealousy important to prevent serious harm. Risk Assessment management includes hospital admissionof • Careful history taking morbidly jealous individual where • Full psychiatric history and mental status necessary, together with taking steps to examination protect potential victims. • Both partners should be viewed separately References • Assess the marital relationship 1. Kingham, Michael (2004) "Aspects of • Sexual and domestic violence history to be morbid Jealousy" Advances in Psychiatric taken from both partners Treatment 10: 207-215 Medical Management 2. 0.Somasundaram, "Facets of • Delusional disorders or in the context morbidjealousy: with an anecdote from a of schizophrenia, delusion of infidelity historical Tamil Romance" Indian Journal of may respond to Antipsychotics Psychiatry, 2010 Jul-Sep, 52(3) 284-288 • Obsessional jealousy whether the part 3. Leong GB, Silva JA, et.al, "The of a depressive illness or not, may dangerousness of persons with the OtheUo respond to selective serotonin reuptake Syndrome", Journal of Forensic science, inhibitors. 1994, Nov; 39(6): 1445-54 Psychosocial Interventions 4. Crichton.P. "Did Othello have the Othe11o • Cognitive therapy is effective in Othello syndrome?", Journal ofForensic Psychiatry Syndrome and Psychology1996,7(1):161-9

• Marital counseling • Family therapy • Motivational interviewing for substance abuse

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Pondicherry Journal of Nursing Vol 9 Issue 1 Jan – April 16

6. 5. Easton, J.A. Schipper, L.D, (2007)Morbid http://en.wikepedia.org/wiki//MorbidJealou Jealousy from an evolutionarypsychological sy Perspective, Evolutin and 7. www.Indian journal of Psychiatry// Othello

Human Behavior, 28,399-402 Syndrome

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