How 'Othello Syndrome' Induces Delusional Romantic Jealousy

If you have irrational, invasive jealousy that has no basis in reality, you might be suffering with 'Othello syndrome.'

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | July 17, 2024

Imagine a person so consumed by jealousy that they subject their partner to lie detector tests every time they come home, constantly monitoring their partner's activities by checking their phones, emails and bank statements multiple times a day, and even going as far as restricting their partner from watching television shows or looking at magazines featuring the opposite sex.

While this may sound like a scenario out of a movie, it's a harsh reality for individuals struggling with Othello syndrome. It is named after Shakespeare's play's famously jealous titular character, Othello, whose baseless jealousy leads to his own downfall and that of his loved ones.

This uncommon psychiatric condition leads individuals to irrationally believe their romantic partner is unfaithful despite having no evidence to support this belief.

What Is Othello Syndrome?

According to a 2022 study published in European Psychiatry, Othello Syndrome is "a psychiatric condition consisting of delusional jealousy and irritability. It is often associated with psychiatric or neurological disorders. The most common are delusional disorder and dementia." Individuals with Othello syndrome are convinced, without any real evidence, that their partner is cheating on them. They may show signs such as:

Persistent jealousy. The affected person constantly accuses their partner of infidelity without any real evidence.
Obsessive thoughts. They might repeatedly check their partner's phone, emails, or social media for signs of cheating.
Behavioral changes. They may become controlling, wanting to know where their partner is at all times and with whom.

Individuals suffering from Othello syndrome often have certain neurological or psychiatric conditions. Parkinson's disease patients, for example, might experience hallucinations and delusions, leading to unfounded accusations.

Those with schizophrenia or dementia can develop irrational beliefs about their partner's infidelity. Chronic substance abusers might also display paranoid thoughts of their partners cheating on them.

A recent study found that the average age of the individuals affected by Othello syndrome was 58 years, with more men affected than women (almost 2 men for every woman). The causes of Othello Syndrome included:

Primary psychiatric disorders (22% of cases)
Other medical conditions such as cerebrovascular accidents, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, meningioma and pituitary adenoma (52% of cases)
Medications or other substances (26% of cases)

The most common causes within these groups were delusional disorder, strokes and medications that affect dopamine levels in the brain.

Previous experiences of infidelity or abandonment might also contribute to developing these delusions. For instance, one Reddit user shared his father's experience with Othello Syndrome, "He has been accusing my mother of cheating for several years now. My uncle believes it stems from when he cheated on my mother one time a long time ago. He believes that my father is so scared to face the truth of being a cheater that it is easier for him to make believe that my mother has cheated and therefore, all blame attention should be on her."

How Does Othello Syndrome Impact Relationships?

A 2012 study identified 105 cases of delusional jealousy of patients with neurodegenerative Othello Syndrome from the Mayo Clinic's electronic medical records system. Here's what the physicians reported some of the patients said:

"He says the reason for his hunger strike is that his wife is having an affair with several other patients in the nursing home and that she entertains them in the lounge periodically."
"He reports that he sees his wife having sex in a theater and hears his wife's voice moaning as though she is having an orgasm."
"She states, 'When we are making love, he turns away and goes out to the living room and dances for her and then comes back.' When challenged whether the patient has actually seen the woman or talked to her, she states, 'No.'"

Even though these are clinical cases of delusional jealousy, individuals with pathological jealousy in day-to-day life can also exhibit similar behaviors. These individuals may exhibit obsessive, controlling and sometimes even violent behaviors as they try to ensure their partner's fidelity.

Living with Othello Syndrome significantly impacts both the sufferer and their partner. For the partner, constant accusations and invasive checks strain the relationship, causing stress and anxiety. For the individual with the syndrome, the delusions create a perpetual state of distrust and paranoia, severely affecting their mental well-being.

"I cannot live this life. For clarity, I have never—not once—cheated on her (his wife). But I am accused of the most outrageous stuff I simply have not done," a Redditor expresses concerns over his wife's behavior. "She has accused me of having sex with dozens of women, some of whom I don't even have a clue who she's talking about. If I speak to a woman or smile or they smile at me or speak to me, I must be, according to her, having sex with that person. I'd never have the time or opportunity. She keeps tabs on me all the time."

The distress and confusion experienced by those with a partner suffering from Othello syndrome can be significant. The relentless accusations and constant surveillance can create a toxic environment, severely straining the relationship.

"Guy (her boyfriend) used to sit me down every single day about some social media post or too short hug or whatever the hell it was I did that day that made him feel like I wasn't loving him enough or I must have some secret relationship I wasn't telling him about. Not fun," expressed another Reddit user.

The constant mistrust can lead to frequent arguments and a breakdown in communication. Both the person with Othello syndrome and their partner can experience significant emotional pain and stress.

Understanding Othello syndrome highlights the devastating impact of irrational jealousy on relationships and well-being. It underscores the importance of mental health in maintaining healthy relationships and reveals how extreme jealousy can turn marriage into a nightmare.

Is your jealousy normal or bordering on pathological? Take the Cognitive Jealousy Scale for a science-backed answer.

A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here.