Obsessional jealousy

Obsessional jealousy is jealousy that is characterized by intrusive and excessive thoughts, and may be accompanied by compulsive checking of the partner.^[1][2] It is not classified as a mental disorder in the psychiatric manuals DSM or ICD, but it is mentioned as an example of how obsessive compulsive disorder can present itself.^[3]

Characteristics

Its characteristics are:^[4]

1. Little resistance and distress associated with obsessional thoughts
2. Anger specifically directed at spouse
3. Jealousy evident only in a committed relationship
4. Frequently monosymptomatic
5. Frequently responds at lower doses of SSRI
6. Rapid response in comparison with classical OCD

References

1. Beat Retroactive Jealousy in 12 Steps
2. Michael Kingham and Harvey Gordon (2004). "Aspects of morbid jealousy" (PDF). Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. 10: 207–221. doi:10.1192/apt.10.3.207.
3. American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. p. 263. ISBN 978-0-89042-555-8.
4. Obsessional Jealousy - Morbid Jealousy