Othello Syndrome
Othello syndrome, also known as morbid jealousy, is a delusional belief or firmly held overvalued idea that one's spouse or partner is being unfaithful. It occurs more often in men than women, can arise on its own or as a symptom of an underlying condition such as schizophrenia or substance misuse, and is considered a genuinely dangerous presentation, since it can lead to stalking, obsessive searching for evidence, and, at times, serious violence.
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Illustration
A man becomes fixated on the conviction that his wife is having an affair, scrutinising her phone, timing her journeys to the shop, and confronting her repeatedly despite her consistent denials and the complete absence of any supporting evidence, with his behaviour escalating in intensity over several weeks.
References
- Casey, P. & Kelly, B. (2019). Fish's Clinical Psychopathology, 4th ed. Appendix I, 'Psychiatric Syndromes'.