Othello syndrome is a psychotic disorder in which symptoms such as restricting and threatening the partner, and not moving away from the social environment due to feelings such as obsessive jealousy, feeling of being cheated on, are exhibited.
People with Othello Syndrome, believe that they have been deceived by obsessively accusing their romantic partners of being unfaithful without any evidence.
- What is Othello syndrome?
Othello syndrome, known as “delusional jealousy” or “delusional jealousy”, occurs mostly in dyadic relationships and is a psychotic disorder to a significant extent of one’s own families and social contexts.
Othello syndrome is included in the theater play “The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice” by the famous English writer Shakespeare. In the play, the character named Othello shows extreme jealousy towards his wife and believes that he is being cheated on.
- How are the behaviors of people living in Othello therapy displayed?
People with Othello hospital believe that they have been deceived by obsessively accusing their romantic partners of being unfaithful without any evidence. In exchange for this increasing distress and initial costs, restrictive practices such as socially distancing and stalking their partners; They exhibit harmful behavior such as violence and physical violence.
- What are the symptoms of Othello syndrome?
Accusing the partner even though he/she has a valid reason,
Constantly questioning the exclusion of partnership by believing in real scenarios,
Intensive efforts to find evidence of deception,
Isolation and restriction from the partner’s social relationships,
Making threats and showing physical violence towards the partner,
Does not attempt self-harm or suicide.
- What are the causes of Othello syndrome?
It is not yet clear why the Othello hospital came into being. However, there are some factors where these schemes exist.
Factors that may cause Othello therapy can be listed as follows:
Lack of self-confidence and feeling of inadequacy,
Paranoid schizophrenia and borderline personality disorders,
Alcohol and substance use,
conduction, such as Huntington’s and Parkinson’s,
Right frontal lobe dysfunction.
- What are the Othello therapy treatment methods?
Due to the preservation of jealousy and delusion in Othello syndrome, treatment methods and duration vary. If the person’s symptoms are severe and the connection with reality is limited, it may be appropriate to refer the individual to a psychiatrist. In addition to drug treatment, psychotherapy helps to differentiate the underlying causes of jealousy and changes in functionality in interpersonal relationships.
Finally, the individual treatment process can be supported by couple and family therapy.
- How should the person who has Othello Syndrome behave?
First of all, an eye with Othello syndrome symptoms should be communicated with openly and honestly, instead of exhibiting suspicious behavior. This reduces the person’s anxiety. Additionally, exhibiting empathic behavior to make the other party feel understood can make a healthy relationship easier. In addition, treating the person with Othello syndrome, encouraging them to consult a specialist, and supporting the treatment process have a critical role. At the same time, being in a relationship with a person who has Othello syndrome can be a challenging experience. Because of the possibility of physical and psychological violence arising from this group, the individual attaches great importance to protecting himself.
